Legwand, Tootoo lead Predators to 2-1 preseason win over Carolina

The Nashville Predators exacted revenge on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh, coming away with a 2-1 victory. David Legwand and Jordin Tootoo scored for Nashville, while Patrick O'Sullivan potted another for the Canes.

Full recap after the jump.

The game started out in a fairly helter-skelter fashion, with few (if any) stoppages. The top line of Martin Erat, Cal O'Reilly, and Colin Wilson generated some good chances, but Justin Pogge withstood the flurry in the Carolina net. Later in the first, Nashville went on the man advantage which was led by Kevin Klein and Ryan Suter. Francis Bouillon got a wrist shot through which gave Pogge some issues, but it ultimately came to nothing as the penalty expired.

Mark Dekanich proved his worth again early on, stopping Jeff Skinner and Jussi Jokinen in quick succession. Nashville's top line continued to pressure, but Aaron Johnson held Patrick O'Sullivan and then the Predators were caught with 5 men on the ice - during a penalty kill. O'Sullivan scored from the point on the power play, and the period ended 1-0 Carolina without any further fanfare.

Justin Pogge experienced some rougher moments in the 2nd period, giving the puck straight to David Legwand who didn't really know what to do with it. The rebound came out to Jonathan Blum who placved a good shot on net, but Pogge was able to recover in time.

His good fortune did not last long, however, as a miscommunication between Pogge and defenseman Jay Harrison allowed David Legwand to wrap the puck into an open net, and just like that the game was tied.

The Predators were afforded a power play try, and with that came Anders Lindback in goal for Mark Dekanich. Lindback did not face much pressure in the 2nd period.

Later on, Jordin Tootoo stormed the zone undefended and let fly one of his trademark high slapshots. The difference this time was that the puck was on net, and Pogge missed it. A rare moment for Tootoo, but the Predators led 2-1 all the same as the period worked its way to a close.

The third period was, frankly, pretty boring. The only thing of significance was a questionable hit from Francis Bouillon on Jussi Jokinen, which saw "The Cube" sent to the box for four minutes - two for roughing and two for kneeing.

Impressive in the third, though, was the big Swede Anders Lindback. He stood tall as the game came to a close with a sterling save on a shot from Jokinen and an even more impressive stop on Jeff Skinner as the period wound down.

In all, it was a role reversal from the previous night. The Hurricanes went with their younger players while the Predators brought Ryan Suter, Martin Erat, Joel Ward, Colin Wilson, and a couple of other experienced players. Mark Dekanich was quite good once again, and Lindback proved more than capable as well despite the limited work.

It's back home tomorrow for the Predators, with a game against the President's Trophy winning Washington Capitals on tap.