Hurricanes 5, Lightning 2
Jiri Tlusty, Tuomo Ruutu and captain Eric Staal combined for three goals and six assists as the Carolina Hurricanes ended a six-game road losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.
Defenseman Jay Harrison recorded a goal and an assist, Tim Brent also tallied and Cam Ward made 34 saves for Carolina, which entered with an Eastern Conference-low four wins away from home.
Ruutu, who added a pair of assists, opened the scoring 3 1/2 minutes into the game and Tlusty buried a rebound from the high slot 74 seconds later for a 2-0 lead. Harrison and Tlusty, who also set up a goal, scored 68 seconds apart late in the first period to give the Hurricanes a 4-1 advantage.
It was the third career two-goal performance by Tlusty and first since March 29, 2008 as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nate Thompson and Teddy Purcell scored for Tampa Bay, which has lost five in a row. Mathieu Garon allowed three goals on eight shots before being replaced by Dwayne Roloson, who finished with 22 saves.