Recap: Canes Come Away with 3-2 Victory in Nashville

NASHVILLE - In a contest that felt reminiscent to their Stanley Cup Playoffs battles from just five months ago, the Carolina Hurricanes prevailed against the Nashville Predators Saturday night by a score of 3-2.

Andersen Outstanding
There was no shortage of excitement in the first period of the contest, one that concluded with each team registering 14 shots amid a slew of penalties and close chances. Frederik Andersen was busy and it was just the start to what would be his hectic evening.
An Andrei Svechnikov turnover at center ice in the second directly led to the Predators' game-tying tally. However at no fault to Andersen, it was just the beginning of a big push from the home side. In search of their go-ahead goal, Andersen then finished the second with yet another 14.
While the quantity was not as high in the third, two crucial penalty kills that included highlight-reel saves from "Freddie" were some of the biggest moments of the finish. Including a stop in which he reached behind his own back with his glove before diving backwards to keep out a Nashville rebound chance, Andersen was the backbone to the club the entire way.
Finishing with 38 stops in a team performance that was not up to par for Head Coach Rod Brind'Amour, the Danish netminder was worthy of all the praise received post-game.

The Svechnikov Situation
Everyone that knows anything about Andrei Svechnikov knew he was going to be incredibly disappointed and hard on himself following his gaffe that led to Nashville's opening goal and subsequent attack.
So as the game progressed into the middle stages of the third still tied, it became only fitting that Svechnikov was able to play hero for his team.
Martin Necas deserves major credit for the setup on the tally, but it was the lethal release from the Canes #37 on world-class goaltender in Juuse Saros that silenced the Bridgestone Arena crowd.

Don't Overlook It
The Canes are now 2-0-0 with wins coming in very separate fashions, yet both against good teams.
Thursday night it was a dynamic offensive output against a strong team in the New York Islanders. Tonight it was a very strong goaltending effort.
While Rod Brind'Amour doesn't want to win games in the fashion that the team did tonight, it's nice to know that the team's goaltenders can provide that sort of execution. Being that the mantra going into the team's opener was that both goalies would play, not many would've batted an eye if Antti Raanta were in the crease tonight. Alas, it was Andersen and he made good on his chance.
What They Said About It:
Frederik Andersen on his performance:
"I was just trying to continue my process of focusing on the next shot. You can't really focus on too much else, especially when you play a good team. You just have to play the next shift, just like the players do and as goalies it's the next shot. We stayed in the fight and got out of it with two points."
Rod Brind'Amour on Svechnikov allowing Nashville to tie the game, but coming up with the response:
"That's going to happen, those kind of plays. But that's the type of ability that he has. He's a game-changer. He gave their's up but obviously then he got it back because he has that type of ability and that's why he's a special player."
Andrei Svechnikov's feelings on his mishap but then heroics:
"I made a big mistake and I hate to do that, but I'm glad we won today."
What's Next?
A trip north of the border! The Canes head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens Thursday night.