Things are finally starting to come together for the struggling Preds.
The game started with an early four-on-four as William Carrier and Nick Blankenburg took coincidental holding penalties. The Preds got out to a good start from there, managing to get some extended zone time in the Carolina zone despite the Canes’ usual stifling play, and earned a penalty for it halfway through the period as Jackson Blake hooked Jeremy Lauzon.
While the Preds’ power play was lackluster, with Jordan Staal’s shorthanded shot being the best look of the interval, they got their skates back under them and headed for the offensive zone again.