NHL: Nashville 2, Carolina 1 (SO)

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Martin Erat's shootout goal Saturday gave the Nashville Predators a 2-1 victory over Carolina.

Cal O'Reilly of the Predators and Jeff Skinner of the Hurricanes each scored in the shootout's first round, and Pekka Rinne then stopped both Jussi Jokinen and Patrick O'Sullivan to set up Erat's decisive tally.

Jerred Smithson got Nashville's only regulation goal, helping the Preds to their fourth win in five games.

Carolina got its only marker from Joni Pitkanen while dropping its second shootout contest in two games.

Ward turned aside 26-of-27 shots for the Hurricanes.