Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
Captain Eric Staal scored the go-ahead goal nine seconds into the third period as host Carolina skated to its second straight win.
Chris Terry and defenseman Justin Faulk also tallied for the Hurricanes, who won two of their four meetings with New Jersey this season. Victor Rask notched an assist to extend his point streak to four games, Staal also set up a goal and Cam Ward finished with 21 saves.
Patrik Elias scored a power-play goal for the Devils, who have dropped four in a row (0-3-1) and are on the cusp of being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. Keith Kinkaid turned aside 29 shots for New Jersey, which is 13 points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining.
After Terry forged a tie late in the second period, Carolina wasted little time gaining the advantage in the third as Staal cleaned up the rebound of defenseman Ryan Murphy's shot from above the right faceoff circle for his 21st goal - and second in as many games. Faulk doubled the advantage nearly five minutes later, unleashing a blast from the point for his 15th goal.
Elias ended his 13-game drought at 11:03 of the first period by deflecting Mike Cammalleri's shot from the point for his 11th goal - and first since Feb. 20. Terry answered with 1:27 remaining in the second, accepting a circle-to-circle pass from Jeff Skinner before unleashing a wrist shot that sailed over the right shoulder of Kinkaid.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Elias' goal gave him 1,014 career points, moving him past Pat LaFontaine for 78th place on the all-time list. ... Rask has collected one goal and three assists during his point streak. ... New Jersey RW Jordin Tootoo registered a team-high four shots while playing in his 600th career game. ... Carolina held a decisive edge in the faceoff circle (44-23).