Wild tames Hurricanes

ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Carolina Hurricanes just can't finish a rally these days.

Minnesota scored two first-period goals and goalie Dwayne Roloson took care of the rest with 33 saves as the Wild beat the Hurricanes 2-1 on Sunday.

"It's the exact same thing as our previous four losses," said Carolina coach Paul Maurice, whose team is 0-9-1 when trailing after two periods. "We're a pretty frustrated hockey team right now."

Carolina is 2-5-0 in December.

The defending Eastern Conference champions were looking to put a winning streak together after breaking their four-game skid with a victory over Calgary on Thursday night. But Roloson wouldn't allow it.

Minnesota's backup goalie looked to be on his way to his ninth career shutout until Ron Francis scored Carolina's only goal with 7:07 left.

The Wild were without star forward Marian Gaborik, who was sidelined with the flu. Gaborik is the fifth Minnesota player to fall ill since Saturday.

Carolina 0 0 1 -- 1

Minnesota 2 0 0 -- 2

First Period--1, Minnesota, Ronning 6 (Walz, Laaksonen), 6:44. 2, Minnesota, Kuba 2 (Zholtok), 14:24 (pp).

Second Period--None.

Third Period--3, Carolina, Francis 13 (Malec, Kapanen), 12:53 (pp).

Shots on goal--Carolina 4-15-15--34. Minnesota 6-2-7--15.

Power-play opportunities--Carolina 1 of 4; Minnesota 1 of 6.

Goalies--Carolina, Irbe 5-9-0 (15 shots-13 saves). Minnesota, Roloson 9-2-5 (34-33).

A--18,568 (18,064).

Predators 3, Wild 1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Scott Walker scored a pair of goals, one on the power play, to lead the Nashville Predators to a 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.

Walker scored his first goal at 16:37 of the first period.

Minnesota 0 0 1 -- 1

Nashville 1 1 1 -- 3

First Period--1, Nashville, Walker 6 (Legwand, Johansson), 16:37.

Second Period--2, Nashville, Walker 7 (Timonen, Legwand), 13:49 (pp).

Third Period--3, Minnesota, Brunette 12 (Dupuis), 1:30 (pp). 4, Nashville, Hall 6 (Murray, Hartnell), 11:21.

Shots on goal--Minnesota 4-3-12--19. Nashville 14-12-11--37.

Power-play opportunities--Minnesota 1 of 4; Nashville 1 of 6.

Goalies--Minnesota, Fernandez 8-7-1 (37 shots-34 saves). Nashville, Vokoun 5-9-3 (19-18).

A--14,224 (17,113).