Hurricanes 4, Lightning 2
Jeff Skinner scored twice in the second period and the Carolina Hurricanes held on to snap a three-game home losing streak against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 4-2 victory on Tuesday.
Skinner, who now has six goals and nine points in eight career games against the Lightning, fought his way through the slot to score 22 seconds into the second. He later one-timed a nifty, cross-ice pass from Jussi Jokinen at 10:38 for a 3-1 lead.
Brett Connolly scored his first NHL goal with 5:44 left in the game to draw the Lightning within 3-2. But Chad LaRose scored his second of the game and third of the season just 54 seconds later.
Cam Ward made three of his 28 saves on a full, two-minute 5-on-3 Lightning power play at 4:58 of the second period.
Carolina outshot the Lightning 19-7 in the first period, but could only manage a 1-1 tie. LaRose knotted the game with three seconds left on the Hurricanes’ second power play at 18:21. It was just the second power-play goal in 23 tries over the last six games for Carolina.
Carolina lost Jokinen early in the third with a lower-body injury.