The major piece of pre-game news was that Jaccob Slavin was back in the lineup, after missing the last three playoff games. He led the team in ice time in his return, playing more than 26 minutes for the Hurricanes.
Carolina started strong and despite a pretty dull first period all around, the Hurricanes outshot the Predators 10-5. However, Nashville got on the board first, with a bit of a fluke goal from a point shot that took a weird bounce. Martin Necas would tie the game a few minutes later though, beating Juuse Saros with a great shot on the power play.
Nashville took back the lead under a minute into the second period, however, on just their sixth shot on goal. Colton Sissons made a great pass on a 2-on-1 to put the puck on the stick of Yakov Trenin, who buried his second goal of the game. After some really good chances for the Hurricanes throughout the frame, it looked as though Carolina had tied the game off a deflected point shot, but it was challenged and the call was reversed on account of goalie interference. The crowd certainly let the referees hear about their displeasure throughout the rest of the period but the Hurricanes remained down 2-1 after 40 minutes.
The final frame was similar to what we saw in the first period, with a lack of quality chances for either team. However with about seven minutes remaining, Martin Necas scored on a great individual effort, making a zone entry with speed and taking the puck behind the net for a wraparound to beat Saros for his second goal of the game. For the third game in a row, the teams headed to overtime.
In overtime, it didn’t take long for Carolina to win it. Saros batted away a point shot from Brett Pesce, however, Jordan Staal was there to hit it right back past Saros and win it for the Hurricanes.
This was a really strong game for Carolina overall. The high-danger chances were 11-5 (according to NaturalStatTrick.com) and the Hurricanes really limited Nashville’s offense.
Saros has remained a problem for the Hurricanes, putting together another really strong game. He’s been a difference-maker for the Predators but if the Hurricanes can continue to limit chances for Nashville, it may not matter.
The Hurricanes have a chance to wrap up the series tomorrow night in Nashville.
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