Predators defeat Hurricanes in Game 4 in 2OT, even series

Luke Kunin scored his second goal at 16:10 of the second overtime, and the Nashville Predators evened the Stanley Cup First Round with a 4-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 4 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Sunday.

Kunin won it when he beat goalie Alex Nedeljkovic with a one-timer from the left hash marks off a pass from Mikael Granlund. Kunin entered the Hurricanes zone unchecked after going to the bench to replace a broken stick.
"I broke my stick, our equipment guy (Pete Rodgers) had it ready," Kunin said. "I got up in the slot and found a way to get it in there. Great play by [Calle Jarnkrok and Granlund]. Just happy it went in."
Juuse Saros made 58 saves for the Predators, the No. 4 seed in the Discover Central Division, who won for the second straight game in the second overtime following a 5-4 victory in Game 3 here Friday.
"[Saros] puts in the work, but the maturation of the player mentally and emotionally are the big differences now," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "He's done a really good job, and we're going to need him to continue to do so."

Brock McGinn scored twice, and Nedeljkovic made 39 saves for the Hurricanes, the No. 1 seed.
"I thought we played great," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "Felt like we had the play most of the game. In overtime, it felt like we were at their end. Eventually, they're going to score if we don't score. We couldn't find a way to get one, but I love the way our guys are playing."
Game 5 of the best-of-7 series will be at Carolina on Tuesday.
"It's definitely draining, disappointing losing those two," McGinn said. "But they're playing just as long as we are. We're both in the same situation. Everyone has to go home, we have to recover, regroup and come back the day after."
Kunin scored 57 seconds into the first period to give Nashville a 1-0 lead. Granlund tried to split Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei, and the loose puck went to Kunin, who shot five-hole on Nedeljkovic while cutting through the low slot.
Vincent Trocheck tied it 1-1 at 18:03. Martin Necas toe-dragged Matt Benning before fanning on a shot, but the puck trickled into the crease, where Trocheck swiped it into the net.
Ryan Johansen gave the Predators a 2-1 lead at 4:53 of the second, scoring on a backhand in the slot after Nedeljkovic failed to cover a loose puck.
"We did a lot of good things tonight," Johansen said. "You've just got to be mentally tough. You've got to stay ultra-focused, and your details got to be very sharp."

Brind'Amour found no fault on the play with his rookie goalie, who has played all four games in the series.
"He was great," Brind'Amour said. "Of course he'd like to have that one back. That's what happens, didn't get the break. It wasn't for lack of effort."
McGinn tied it 2-2 at 18:05 of the second with a slap shot from the left boards that went through a screen and off the right post. He then gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead 13 seconds into the third period, lifting a wrist shot under the crossbar from in front.
Nick Cousins tied it 3-3 at 3:15 when he redirected Erik Haula's shot over Nedeljkovic's glove on the power play.
"Since Day One, we've loved the character in our room," Johansen said. "The resilience is showing when we need it most. That's our group, and we continue to try and get better and keep moving forward."
NOTES: Saros, who tied the then Nashville record for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 52 saves in Game 3, is the second NHL goalie since 1955-56 to make at least 50 saves in consecutive playoff games. Curtis Joseph made 61 and 57 saves for the St. Louis Blues in Games 1 and 2 of the 1993 Norris Division Semifinals. … Pesce had three shots on goal, two hits and one blocked shot in a game-high 40:16 of ice time. … Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin missed a third straight game with a lower-body injury.