Eric Staal has goal and assist as Hurricanes beat Maple Leafs 2-1 to sweep season series

RALEIGH, N.C. - Eric Staal had a goal and an assist to help the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 Friday night, completing a sweep of their three-game season series.

Jordan Staal had the other goal for the Hurricanes, who had won the two previous meetings by 4-1 scores — on Dec. 16 in Raleigh and Jan. 19 in Toronto. Carolina goalie Cam Ward, playing in his 499th NHL game — all for the Hurricanes — had 23 saves.

Brandon Kozun had his first NHL goal for the Maple Leafs, and James Reimer stopped 24 shots while falling to 1-10 in his last 11 games.

Carolina, which has won four straight in the series, is 21-7-1 in its last 29 games against Toronto. The Hurricanes, in last place in the Metropolitan Division, are 11-6-3 since Jan 1.

Toronto is 2-15-2 since Peter Horachek took over as head coach.