Hurricanes 6, Flames 5 (SO)
Jeff Skinner scored the lone goal in the shootout as the Carolina Hurricanes earned a 6-5 victory over the visiting Calgary Flames on Tuesday.
Skinner's goal moved the Hurricanes to 6-0-2 in their last eight games, keeping them within three points of the Montreal Canadiens for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. He added an assist in regulation to increase his rookie-best point total to 33.
Jussi Jokinen scored twice and added an assist for Carolina while Erik Cole added his fourth goal in three games. Tuomo Ruutu and Erik Staal had singles while Cam Ward stopped 27 shots to earn the win.
Trailing 5-2 late in the second period, the Flames forced extra time on Rene Bourque's game-tying goal 7:39 into the third period. Jay Bouwmeester, Jarome Iginla, Niklas Hagman and Curtis Glencross added singles in the Flames' fourth straight defeat, and second in a row via shootout.
Miikka Kiprusoff was yanked after allowing four goals on 10 shots. Henrik Karlsson came on in relief and kept Calgary in the game, making 21 saves the rest of the way.