The win was Pittsburgh's eighth in 10 games and gave the Penguins a 2-1-1 lead in the season series.
Andrej Nestrasil scored late in the third period for the Hurricanes to send the game to the extra period.
Phil Kessel scored Pittsburgh's regulation goal in the second period.
The game was part of the Hurricanes' three-day celebration for the 10th anniversary of their 2006 Stanley Cup championship. Captain Eric Staal and goalie Cam Ward are the only members of that team still active with the club.
Ward made 25 saves for Carolina, which is 1-1-2 in its last four games.
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