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RALEIGH -- David Legwand had a goal and two assists to lead the Nashville Predators past Carolina 4-2 on Friday night in the Hurricanes' exhibition opener.

Mike Santorelli and Dan Hamhuis each had a goal and an assist for the Predators. Peter Olvecky added an empty netter on the power play, Martin Erat had two assists and Pekka Rinne stopped 10 shots in 1½ periods.

Erik Cole and Eric Staal scored for Carolina, and Cam Ward made 21 saves.

Both teams skated without some key players: Nashville held out forwards Jason Arnott and J.P. Dumont while Carolina captain Rod Brind'Amour didn't play.

Before the game, the Hurricanes announced that forward prospect Matt Kennedy was headed back to Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League.

Nashville 1 2 1 -- 4

Carolina 1 0 1 -- 2

First Period--1, Carolina, Cole 1 (Boychuk, LaRose), 17:10 (pp). 2, Nashville, Mi.Santorelli 1 (Erat, Legwand), 18:08. Penalties--Thuresson, Nas (tripping), 8:04 Yonkman, Nas (delay of game), 15:38.

Second Period--3, Nashville, Legwand 1, 3:20. 4, Nashville, Hamhuis 1 (Mi.Santorelli, Erat), 18:57. Penalties--Grant, Nas, major (fighting), 7:51 Blanchard, Car, major (fighting), 7:51 Klein, Nas (tripping), 11:36 Smithson, Nas (interference), 15:38.

Third Period--5, Carolina, Staal 1 (Whitney, Corvo), 3:05. 6, Nashville, Olvecky 1 (Legwand, Hamhuis), 19:44 (en-pp). Penalties--Guite, Nas (tripping), 8:43 Whitney, Car (holding), 13:04 Olvecky, Nas (tripping), 14:53 Whitney, Car (interference), 18:02.

Shots on Goal--Nashville 10-9-6--25. Carolina 9-6-15--30.

Power-play opportunities--Nashville 1 of 2. Carolina 1 of 6.

Goalies--Nashville, Rinne (11 shots-10 saves), Dekanich 1-0-0 (11:36 second, 19-18). Carolina, C.Ward 0-1-0 (24-21).

A--8,495 (18,680). T--2:18. Referees--Wes McCauley, Chris Rooney. Linesmen--Scott Driscoll, Tim Nowak.