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Early first period barrage lifts Canes past Predators 4-1

By Andrew Miller

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 21: Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators battles against Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on December 21, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 21: Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators battles against Brett Pesce #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on December 21, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 16: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes prepares to leave the ice following pregame warm up prior to an NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game on December 16, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 16: Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes prepares to leave the ice following pregame warm up prior to an NHL game against the Columbus Blue Jackets during an NHL game on December 16, 2017 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Cam Ward gives the Canes the best chance to win

After Scott Darling gave up eight goals in the loss to the Maple Leafs, there was a lot of pressure on Ward to perform in this game. He was able to do just that, by stopping more than 25 shots from the Preds and holding strong for his squad all night.

Ward’s save percentage is now well above that of Darling, even though he is the backup goalie. His record is also much better. Ward is now carrying a record of 7-2-1, compared to 8-10-6 from Darling.

There’s just not much confidence coming from Darling right now. He had a great performance in a 2-1 home win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Yet, that was a short lived success for him, as head coach Bill Peters kept him in entirely too long against the Leafs.

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With only one goal against, Ward nearly came up with his first shut out of the season. Special teams was a big x-factor for the Canes, against Nashville, and Ward was the team’s best penalty killer. The man-down unit remained perfect, helping Carolina along to a big victory over a quality Nashville team.

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