NORFOLK, Virginia (Ticker) -- Arturs Irbe finished the preseason in excellent form, stopping all 26 shots, and Jeff O'Neill scored twice to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 2-0 blanking of the Washington Capitals.

Coming off a career season with six shutouts, Irbe stopped 12 shots in the first period, 10 in the second and four in the third.

Irbe and Olaf Kolzig engaged in a scoreless duel until O'Neill tallied 27 seconds into the third period. He got his second preseason goal at the 17-minute mark.

Nolan Pratt set up both goals for the Hurricanes, who went 4-2-1 in the preseason. They open the regular season on Saturday at Boston.

Kolzig finished with 22 saves for the Capitals, who were 5-2-0 in exhibition play. They start the season Saturday at Florida.