Predators 5, Hurricanes 2
Associated Press

Photos: Predators 5, Hurricanes 2
Video: Game Highlights
Video: Ellis' 1st NHL goal
Post-Game: Trotz | Ellis
Game Musings: vs. Carolina
Statistics: Game Summary
Tickets: vs. Avalanche - 1/12

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - In their previous five games, the Nashville Predators were shut out on the power play. They didn't have much trouble scoring with the man advantage on Saturday night.

Patric Hornqvist scored two of Nashville's four power-play goals to lead the Predators to a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

"I think we got away from our work ethic and execution - all of the little details that you need and then you also need a little bit of puck luck," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We had a little bit of all three tonight.

"The power play made a big statement coming back after a little bit of a dry spell. That's just what happens in the season sometimes."

The Predators finished 4 for 5 on the power play after going 0 for 16 in their last five games.

Hornqvist missed a hat trick when his goal at 11:03 of the third period was disallowed after a video review.

"They have the best cameras in the league," Hornqvist said. "I'm pretty sure it was the right call. Of course, a hat trick is a big thing. Hopefully, it will come sooner or later."

Hornqvist scores most of his goals while battling in front of the net. In typical fashion both of his goals were ugly ones in terms of execution.

Hornqvist, stationed in front of the net, tipped in a shot by Mike Fisher with 2:56 left in the second period to give the Predators a 3-0 lead.

At the 6:56 mark of the third period Hornqvist scored his second power-play goal of the game as he tapped the puck in even though he was flat on the ice in front of the net.

"If you keep going in front of the net sometimes good things happen," Hornqvist said. "The puck bounced my way. I got the scoring chances. ... We did a great job of taking the puck to the net. I like to be in front of the net. I'm not a skilled guy. It's my job to be in front of the net."

Shea Weber opened the scoring at 9:14 of the first period after taking a pass from Martin Erat as he crossed the blue line and converting a slap shot from the point past Carolina goaltender Justin Peters to his glove side.

Smith made it 2-0 with 6:44 to go in the first on a one-time on the power play.

Jay Harrison, who scored twice, got the Hurricanes on the board with his fourth of the season at 8:35 of the third.

Ryan Ellis extended the margin back to four with his first NHL goal, on the power play with 5:32 remaining.

"It was good puck movement," Ellis said. "I think our power play seemed to be doing pretty well. We were moving the puck well. Roman Josi had a fake shot and kind of sucked in a couple of their guys and it opened me up. I just tried to get it to the net."

Ellis, playing in his fifth NHL game, admitted it was good to get his first goal.

"I wasn't throwing anything at the net the first few games," Ellis said. "You get frustrated when you are trying and nothing is really working. It was a nice feeling to get a goal."

Harrison closed the scoring with 2:04 left, this time on the power play.

Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne won his 20th game of the season, stopping 27 shots.

Peters, making only his second appearance of the season, turned back 31 attempts.

"We know you can't walk in here and give up four bad penalties in the offensive zone," Carolina coach Kirk Muller said. "Their power play has some skill that can hurt you again and again. They capitalized on it."

NOTES: Fisher assisted on three goals, a season high which also tied his career high for assists in a game. ... Weber has 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in his last 22 games, and seven points in his last seven games against Carolina. ... The Predators are 6-1-1 when Weber scores. ... The last time Carolina won at Nashville was Dec. 3, 2002. ... This was the eighth of 16 back-to-back games for Carolina. ... The Predators are 17-2-2 when scoring more than two goals. ... Peters was making only his second appearance of the season. ...Erat was credited with two assists giving him eight points (three goals, five assists) in his last 11 games.


Three star selections
1st:   PATRIC HORNQVIST
2nd:   PEKKA RINNE
3rd:   RYAN ELLIS
Winning Goaltender
Pekka Rinne

Losing Goaltender
Justin Peters

SCHEDULE

HOME
AWAY
PROMOTIONAL

STANDINGS

WESTERN CONFERENCE
  TEAM GP W L OT GF GA PTS
1 p - CHI 48 36 7 5 155 102 77
2 y - ANA 48 30 12 6 140 118 66
3 y - VAN 48 26 15 7 127 121 59
4 x - STL 48 29 17 2 129 115 60
5 x - LAK 48 27 16 5 133 118 59
6 x - SJS 48 25 16 7 124 116 57
7 x - DET 48 24 16 8 124 115 56
8 x - MIN 48 26 19 3 122 127 55
9 CBJ 48 24 17 7 120 119 55
10 PHX 48 21 18 9 125 131 51
11 DAL 48 22 22 4 130 142 48
12 EDM 48 19 22 7 125 134 45
13 CGY 48 19 25 4 128 160 42
14 NSH 48 16 23 9 111 139 41
15 COL 48 16 25 7 116 152 39

STATS

2012-2013 REGULAR SEASON
SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
S. Weber 48 9 19 -2 28
D. Legwand 48 12 13 -6 25
M. Fisher 38 10 11 6 21
C. Wilson 25 7 12 1 19
R. Josi 48 5 13 -7 18
G. Bourque 34 11 5 6 16
S. Kostitsyn 46 3 12 -5 15
P. Hornqvist 24 4 10 -1 14
K. Klein 47 3 11 -1 14
N. Spaling 47 9 4 -10 13
 
GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
P. Rinne 15 16 8 .910 2.43
C. Mason 1 7 1 .873 3.73

 


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