Hurricanes squeak past Oilers 2-1
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Sebastian Aho scored 1:48 into the third period on a power play as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 on Friday night at PNC Arena.
Aho took defenseman Justin Faulk's pass and converted on a one-timer from the right side.
Aho has four goals in a two-game stretch, coming off a hat trick Tuesday night against Philadelphia. He has 16 goals this season, just two behind Jeff Skinner for the team lead.
Jordan Staal scored earlier for the Hurricanes, who have won two games in a row after a five-game losing streak.
Carolina goalie Cam Ward made 24 saves for his 20th victory of the season.
The Oilers have lost three consecutive games in regulation for the first time since mid-November.
Connor McDavid scored in the second period for Edmonton. The Oilers, who were shut out a night earlier at Nashville, have only two even-strength goals across their last three games.
Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot stopped 21 shots, losing for the first time in five decisions against Carolina.
There were only two shots for each team in the first 13 minutes of the third period before the chances increased in frequency.
The line of Staal, Aho and Elias Lindholm struck for Carolina's first goal after accounting for three goals in the team's previous game. It came 11:36 into the game.
McDavid took the puck at the blue line and beat Lindholm for the tying goal with 11:56 to go in the second period. McDavid has 18 goals this season.
Oilers defenseman Matt Benning was helped off the ice with 5:24 left in the first period after taking a hit from Carolina left winger Viktor Stalberg near the boards. Benning didn't return and Edmonton played the rest of the way down a defenseman.
NOTES: The Oilers skated to a 3-2 win in the first meeting of the season in Edmonton on Oct. 18. ... G Eddie Lack has been back with the Hurricanes this week after recovering from a concussion. He'll be a candidate to start at least once before the team's upcoming five-day layoff. ... Oilers D Andrej Sekera, a former Carolina player, was on the ice to start Friday's game. ... Edmonton C Mark Letestu turns 32 years old on Saturday. ... The Hurricanes, who don't play at home again until Feb. 17, will visit the New York Islanders on Saturday night. ... The Oilers complete a three-game road trip on Sunday at Montreal.