ST. LOUIS, MO. – The Carolina Hurricanes lost 3-1 to the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center on Tuesday night.
Defenseman Ryan Murphy scored his second goal of the preseason, the Hurricanes’ lone tally, while goaltender Cam Ward played his first full game and stayed busy throughout as the Blues outshot the Hurricanes 29-20.
Entering its fourth exhibition contest, Carolina (1-3) sat second overall in the league on the power play (5-15, 33%), but came up empty on all of its five man-advantage opportunities against St. Louis, generating only five shots in those situations.
Skating to a scoreless first period, both teams posted their first goals early in the second period, tied 1-1 at the 5:59 mark following Murphy’s equalizer on a shot from the point.
The Blues managed to take advantage of their chances on Ward throughout the first two periods, outshooting the Hurricanes 24-12 during that time, and eventually carried a 2-1 lead into the final period on a goal from Joakim Lindstrom.
Carolina had ample opportunities to tie the game, particularly with three power-play opportunities in the third period, but was unable to beat goalkeeper Brian Elliot who went the distance to give St. Louis its first preseason win.
The Hurricanes travel to Columbus on Wednesday, looking to avenge a previous 4-3 loss to the Blue Jackets.
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Boxscore: St. Louis 3, Carolina 1
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