Preseason Game Six Recap - Hurricanes 4, Predators 1

Using a roster which will most likely be duplicated on opening night, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Nashville Predators, 4-1 on Friday night at the PNC Arena.

This roster consisted of 11 forwards and 7 defensemen and will most likely be used again until Andrei Svechnikov returns from last season’s injury.

It was the first time the entire group played together during the preseason but in many aspects they looked cohesive.

Newcomers, Dmitry Orlov and Michael Bunting both contributed and looked like they were fitting in well.

The Canes dominated the first period and took a 1-0 lead on a powerplay goal by Teuvo Teravainen. Orlov and Martin Necas got the assists.

The home team outshot the visitors 13-5 in that period.

Near the end of the period, Michael Bunting was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and then Sebastian Aho was called for hooking but Frederik Andersen and crew were able to kill off the ensuing 5 on 3 disadvantage.

After another penalty to kill, Nashville edged their way back into the game and took control of the momentum. They would catch up later in the period and tie the shots on goal stat, 16-16, when Yakov Trenin tipped a shot past Andersen making the score, 1-1.

The Canes got the momentum back though when an Aho pass found its way to Seth Jarvis in front of the net. Jarvis buried the shot, giving the home team back the lead with less than a minute left in the period.

With less than five minutes in the third period, Martin Necas curled a beautiful shot past Nashville goalie, Kevin Lankinen, who played the entire game for the visitors.

Just 23 seconds later, Michael Bunting took a perfect pass from Aho and rifled it in the net to close the scoring for Carolina.

Andersen looked good in net and said after the game that he felt good. He made 22 saves on 23 shots on the night. Brind’Amour said after the game that the game could easily have been different if the goaltending was not as good, especially in the second period when Nashville controlled more of the play.

The Hurricanes will take Saturday off then practice again on Sunday as they prepare for their season opener on Wednesday.