Svechnikov scores in Hurricanes win against Predators

RALEIGH, N.C. --Andrei Svechnikov and Vincent Trocheck each had a goal and an assist to help the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the Nashville Predators 4-1 at PNC Arena on Thursday.

Warren Foegele and Sebastian Aho scored, and Petr Mrazek made 19 saves for the Hurricanes (28-10-4), who were coming off being swept in a two-game set by the Detroit Red Wings.
Carolina is tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the eight-team Discover Central Division. The top four teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"I think that looked more like how we want to play," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We had a real good second (period), obviously. That was the difference in the game."

Erik Haula scored, and Juuse Saros made 25 saves for the Predators (24-20-1), who are 0-4-1 against the Hurricanes this season and remained four points ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks for fourth place in the division.
"They put a lot of pressure on you and go right at you," Haula said. "Puck management is key against them. In the second period, we got away from that. It was kind of a collective effort."
Carolina took a 1-0 lead at 18:26 of the first period when Jordan Staal chased down a long clearing attempt by Mrazek and sent a centering pass to Foegele, who scored with a backhand at the top of the crease.
"I thought I had a step on my guy and was hoping [Staal] saw me," Foegele said. "Just a beautiful pass by him. I was happy to get that one in."
Svechnikov scored 14 seconds into the second period during a 4-on-4 to put the Hurricanes ahead 2-0. He took a pass from Dougie Hamilton just inside the blue line and split Predators defenseman Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis before beating Saros under his right arm with a backhand.
It was Svechnikov's first goal since March 30 and his second in 12 games.
"Obviously, when you score a goal you feel more confident," he said. "But it's just one goal, so I've got to keep going."

Trocheck pushed the lead to 3-0 at 5:34 when he got his rebound off a slap shot from the top of the right circle.
The Hurricanes outshot the Predators 14-6 in the second period.
"I thought we got off to a good start in the game," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "I didn't think we responded really well after the first-period goal against and into the second period. I thought they played much better than we did in the second period. We couldn't get up and get going."
Haula scored a shorthanded goal at 9:30 of the third period to cut it to 3-1. Ben Harpur forced a turnover near the blue line, and Colton Sissons fed Haula in the neutral zone for a breakaway.
Aho made it 4-1 with 2:38 remaining when he took a pass across the slot from Trocheck and scored with a one-timer.
NOTES:Mrazek is 10-1-0 in 11 games against Nashville. Saros is 0-4-1 in eight games against Carolina. ... Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce had an assist on Trocheck's goal for his 100th in the NHL in his 392nd game. … Carolina forward Nino Niederreiter had an assist to extend his point streak to four games (one goal, three assists). … Defenseman Jani Hakanpää, who was acquired in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, had one shot, three hits and two blocks in 14:48 in his Hurricanes debut.