Preds blank Hurricanes

Mattias Ekholm scored a pair of third period goals as the Nashville Predators blanked the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 last night at Bridgestone Arena. Craig Smith also lit the lamp for the Preds, who improved to 4-and-1 in preseason play.

They’ll close the exhibition schedule tomorrow night at Carolina. The regular season opener is next Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena against Minnesota.