Chicago Blackhawks' Tanner Kero (67) battles with Carolina Hurricanes' Derek Ryan (33) and Brett Pesce (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Chicago Blackhawks' Tanner Kero (67) battles with Carolina Hurricanes' Derek Ryan (33) and Brett Pesce (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) Credit: Karl B DeBlaker

Raleigh, n.c. — Jay McClement scored the key goal 2:54 into the third period and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Friday night.

Elias Lindholm and former Dartmouth star Lee Stempniak scored early goals 1:05 apart to give the Hurricanes a 2-1 lead, and they held on to earn a point in their 11th straight home game. They’re 10-0-1 at PNC Arena since Nov. 12.

Michal Kempny had a goal and an assist, and Vinnie Hinostroza added a deflected goal 5:49 into the third for the Western Conference-leading Blackhawks, who had their four-game road winning streak snapped.

Cam Ward made 27 saves for Carolina while improving to 8-0-1 during the Hurricanes’ home-ice roll.

Predators 4, Blues 0

St. Louis — Juuse Saros made 25 saves for his first career shutout, Filip Forsberg got a goal and an assist and Nashville beat St. Louis.

Yannick Weber, Viktor Arvidsson and Colin Wilson also scored, and Saros won his second career road game.

The Predators have won three of their four meetings against the Blues this season and snapped a five-game losing streak on the road against St. Louis.

Mike Ribeiro had a pair of assists to run his points streak against the Blues to five games.