Skinner nets first hat trick as Hurricanes beat Preds 5-2

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

NASHVILLE, TENN. – Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner highlighted a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators scoring his first career NHL hat trick at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

“It was a good game for us,” Carolina head coach Kirk Muller said.

“I think it’s safe to say we worked, maybe outworked a hard-working team here tonight. Our work ethic was very strong tonight.”

Skinner’s three-goal performance highlighted a Hurricanes scoring infusion that included goals from defenseman Justin Faulk and forward Riley Nash and pushed the team’s recent scoring average to over a goal more per game in their last five games played.

Skinner’s hot hand, scoring five goals in two games, along with goaltender Justin Peters’ consecutive wins in as many starts has provided a significant boost to the team’s success as it returns home to host the San Jose Sharks on Friday.

After readjusting his first line to include Skinner along with captain Eric Staal and Tuomo Ruutu, Muller was pleased with how the three have responded in recent games.

“We’re really happy with the way that everyone worked, but that number one line – they’ve been workin’ and producin’ since we put them together,” Muller said.

Though he got an empty-netter to notch his first-ever hat trick, Skinner was modest in achieving the milestone.

“It was nice to get that one,” Skinner said.

“Good job in the third by the guys…Petey made some big saves. Everyone chipped in there especially at the end…It was a good team effort. It’s good to get a win like that.”

Aside from facing the challenges of more injuries and playing with a shorter bench, Skinner’s scoring punch has come at the right time, and is something that Muller sounded appreciative of in seeing the young forward reap the rewards of his efforts.

“He’s shootin’ the puck,” Muller said.

“He’s a goal scorer when he shoots the puck…He can score when he gets those opportunities. He’s workin’ for it.”