The Nashville Predators started a season-defining road trip today, facing the powerhouse Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh. Max Pacioretty, acquired during the offseason, played his first game for the Canes after injury, while the Preds brought their familiar roster.
The game started off at a fast pace, with the Canes challenging early and the Preds getting some chances of their own. A little over six minutes into the lively back and forth, Mikael Granlund took an interference penalty and the Canes’ power play got to work. Despite the Preds’ efforts, Carolina was able to score—the goal coming from Paul Stastny at 7:41—and then followed that up with a barrage of chances, forcing Juuse Saros to make save after save on what felt like sure things.