NHL roundup: Predators clinch playoff berth
Field Level Media
09 May 2021, 14:55 GMT+10
Luke Kunin scored two goals and the host Nashville Predators sealed a playoff spot with a 3-1 win over the Central Division champion Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros made 21 saves and held a shutout into the third period in what was a preview of a first-round postseason series. The teams conclude the regular season with a rematch Monday night in Nashville.
Kunin scored in the second and third periods for a 2-0 Predators lead. Mikael Granlund assisted on both goals.
Carolina's goal came from Morgan Geekie less than 1 1/2 minutes after Kunin's second goal, but Erik Haula sealed the outcome with an empty-net tally. Carolina goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made 27 saves while taking a loss in regulation for the first time in his past nine outings.