Jordan Staal scored twice and Nino Niederreiter beat Juuse Saros for the go-ahead goal early in the third period, helping the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night in the first game of the teams' first-round playoff series.

Niederreiter hammered the puck past Saros from between the circles at 2:26 of the third, finishing a perfect pass from Martin Necas only moments after Saros had made a terrific stop on Vincent Trocheck.

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Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) falls on Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin (13) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Jordan Staal scored twice and Nino Niederreiter beat Juuse Saros for the go-ahead goal early in the third period, helping the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night in the first game of the teams' first-round playoff series.
Nashville Predators right wing Mathieu Olivier (25) controls the puck while Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) defends during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Staal illustrated that with his second goal midway through the second, created partly by his own pressure on the forecheck. After Saros stopped a shot near the post from Warren Foegele, Carolina's captain gathered the loose puck and pushed it past Saros for a 4-2 lead at the eight-minute mark.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (58) and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) defend the goal against Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Filip Forsberg and Erik Haula scored for the Predators. Saros finished with 33 saves.
Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Cavan Fitzgerald (76) chase the puck during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

PNC Arena was rowdy again after the state loosened COVID-19 protocols regarding public gatherings and physical distancing earlier this week.
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) tries to score against Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) while Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) defends during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Duke football coach David Cutcliffe and North Carolina State women's basketball coach Wes Moore sounded the siren for the second and third periods.
Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and Carolina Hurricanes left wing Warren Foegele (13) chase the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

The Predators won the last two meetings to close the regular season, securing their seventh straight trip to the postseason behind a late surge that had Nashville steadily climbing the division standings since March.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) keeps an eye on the puck as Carolina Hurricanes left wing Steven Lorentz (78) and left wing Brock McGinn (23) try to get a shot during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Nashville coach John Hynes decided to get more size in his lineup, going with 6-foot-5 defenseman Erik Gudbranson (222 pounds) instead of Dante Fabbro (6-0,189). And forward Tanner Jeannot (6-2, 208) was bumped up from the fourth line to the third.
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) pursues as Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) controls the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) pursues as Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) controls the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal, front right, celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal, front right, celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)
Carolina Hurricanes' Brady Skjei (76) and center Jordan Staal (11) celebrate Staal's goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes' Brady Skjei (76) and center Jordan Staal (11) celebrate Staal's goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)
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Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) falls on Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin (13) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Jordan Staal scored twice and Nino Niederreiter beat Juuse Saros for the go-ahead goal early in the third period, helping the Carolina Hurricanes to a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night in the first game of the teams' first-round playoff series.

Nashville Predators right wing Mathieu Olivier (25) controls the puck while Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) defends during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Staal illustrated that with his second goal midway through the second, created partly by his own pressure on the forecheck. After Saros stopped a shot near the post from Warren Foegele, Carolina's captain gathered the loose puck and pushed it past Saros for a 4-2 lead at the eight-minute mark.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (58) and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) defend the goal against Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Filip Forsberg and Erik Haula scored for the Predators. Saros finished with 33 saves.

Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Cavan Fitzgerald (76) chase the puck during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

PNC Arena was rowdy again after the state loosened COVID-19 protocols regarding public gatherings and physical distancing earlier this week.

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) tries to score against Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) while Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) defends during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Duke football coach David Cutcliffe and North Carolina State women's basketball coach Wes Moore sounded the siren for the second and third periods.

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and Carolina Hurricanes left wing Warren Foegele (13) chase the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

The Predators won the last two meetings to close the regular season, securing their seventh straight trip to the postseason behind a late surge that had Nashville steadily climbing the division standings since March.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) keeps an eye on the puck as Carolina Hurricanes left wing Steven Lorentz (78) and left wing Brock McGinn (23) try to get a shot during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Nashville coach John Hynes decided to get more size in his lineup, going with 6-foot-5 defenseman Erik Gudbranson (222 pounds) instead of Dante Fabbro (6-0,189). And forward Tanner Jeannot (6-2, 208) was bumped up from the fourth line to the third.

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) pursues as Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) controls the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) pursues as Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) controls the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal, front right, celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal, front right, celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes' Brady Skjei (76) and center Jordan Staal (11) celebrate Staal's goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes' Brady Skjei (76) and center Jordan Staal (11) celebrate Staal's goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

That broke a 2-all tie as the Hurricanes made their move with a strong final 20 minutes — not to mention a far more physical stretch after the first.

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) falls on Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin (13) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) falls on Nashville Predators center Yakov Trenin (13) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Staal illustrated that with his second goal midway through the second, created partly by his own pressure on the forecheck. After Saros stopped a shot near the post from Warren Foegele, Carolina's captain gathered the loose puck and pushed it past Saros for a 4-2 lead at the eight-minute mark.

Andrei Svechnikov added the clinching empty-netter on a breakaway at 18:13 for Carolina. Teuvo Teravainen also scored a first-period goal. Alex Nedeljkovic got the start in net and finished with 22 saves.

Carolina finished with a 38-24 advantage in shots on goal in a game with plenty of chippy moments and chesty exchanges between the teams.

Nashville Predators right wing Mathieu Olivier (25) controls the puck while Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) defends during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Nashville Predators right wing Mathieu Olivier (25) controls the puck while Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) defends during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Filip Forsberg and Erik Haula scored for the Predators. Saros finished with 33 saves.

The Hurricanes host Game 2 on Wednesday night before the best-of-seven series shifts west to Nashville in neighboring Tennessee.

WELCOME BACK

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (58) and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) defend the goal against Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (58) and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic (39) defend the goal against Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

PNC Arena was rowdy again after the state loosened COVID-19 protocols regarding public gatherings and physical distancing earlier this week.

The Hurricanes welcomed a loud, towel-waving crowd of about 12,000 for this one, roughly two-thirds full. The team had roughly 5,000 fans attending home games to close the regular season.

Gov. Roy Cooper — a notable Hurricanes fan who announced the protocol changes — sounded the pregame storm-warning siren for the Hurricanes to take the ice.

Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Cavan Fitzgerald (76) chase the puck during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Cavan Fitzgerald (76) chase the puck during the first period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Duke football coach David Cutcliffe and North Carolina State women's basketball coach Wes Moore sounded the siren for the second and third periods.

SEASON SET

Carolina had won the first six meetings of the eight-game season series on the way to winning the Central Division title, the first division crown for the franchise since winning its only Stanley Cup 15 years ago.

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) tries to score against Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) while Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) defends during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) tries to score against Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) while Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) defends during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

The Predators won the last two meetings to close the regular season, securing their seventh straight trip to the postseason behind a late surge that had Nashville steadily climbing the division standings since March.

LINEUP CALLS

Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin missed much of the week's workouts with a lower-body injury suffered in the second-to-last game at Nashville. He was a game-time decision, and had 21:25 of ice time.

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and Carolina Hurricanes left wing Warren Foegele (13) chase the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) and Carolina Hurricanes left wing Warren Foegele (13) chase the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Nashville coach John Hynes decided to get more size in his lineup, going with 6-foot-5 defenseman Erik Gudbranson (222 pounds) instead of Dante Fabbro (6-0,189). And forward Tanner Jeannot (6-2, 208) was bumped up from the fourth line to the third.

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Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) keeps an eye on the puck as Carolina Hurricanes left wing Steven Lorentz (78) and left wing Brock McGinn (23) try to get a shot during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) keeps an eye on the puck as Carolina Hurricanes left wing Steven Lorentz (78) and left wing Brock McGinn (23) try to get a shot during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

 Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) pursues as Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) controls the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) pursues as Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) controls the puck during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

 Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal, front right, celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal, front right, celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce (22) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

 Carolina Hurricanes' Brady Skjei (76) and center Jordan Staal (11) celebrate Staal's goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)

Carolina Hurricanes' Brady Skjei (76) and center Jordan Staal (11) celebrate Staal's goal against the Nashville Predators with defenseman Brett Pesce during the second period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, May 17, 2021. (AP PhotoGerry Broome)