Eric Staal's goal, 2 assists lift Hurricanes over Penguins, 5-2; Cam Ward collects 27 saves

RALEIGH, N.C. - Eric Staal had a goal and two assists and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Thursday night.

Ryan Murphy, Jay McClement, Alexander Semin and Andrej Nestrasil scored for Carolina, which had been 0-3-3 in its last six home games since a 7-4 win over Edmonton on March 8. Brad Malone had a pair of assists as Carolina won for the first time in its last five home games against the Penguins.

Brandon Sutter and Ian Cole scored for the Penguins, who had won the previous four season series with Carolina before the teams won two games apiece this time.

Carolina goalie Cam Ward, playing for the first time in five games after missing some with illness, had 27 saves. Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury made 23.