Defenseman Dougie Hamilton scored on the first attempt of the shootout, and that was enough for the Carolina Hurricanes in a rousing 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at Raleigh, N.C.
The Hurricanes made it past regulation when captain Justin Williams scored the tying goal with 1:56 left in the third period after the Hurricanes opted to go with an extra skater.
Pittsburgh's Kris Letang scored with 4:37 remaining to dispel some of the growing frustration for the Penguins, but they couldn't hold on.
The Penguins were repeatedly denied by Carolina goalie Petr Mrazek in the third period.
Brock McGinn scored earlier for the Hurricanes, who've pieced together consecutive home victories during a crucial part of the schedule. This marked the second game in a five-game homestand.
Jake Guentzel provided a goal and an assist for the Penguins. Bryan Rust had two assists while Sidney Crosby registered his 60th assist of the season.
Pittsburgh (89 points) is third and Carolina (87) is fourth in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins, who kicked off a four-game road trip, are 6-2-2 across their last 10 games.
Penguins goalie Matt Murray posted 37 saves.
Mrazek finished with 36 saves, including 17 in the third period.
It was an active first period, though it ended scoreless. The Penguins had perhaps the best chance early when the puck got past Mrazek, but Hamilton was there to sweep it away.
Mrazek made a nifty stop in the second period on Crosby's attempt after he came out of the penalty box following a stretch of 4-on-4 hockey.
McGinn opened the scoring, marking Carolina's first goal in two games on home ice against Pittsburgh this season. Justin Faulk found McGinn with a pass in the slot for the scoring play.
Guentzel tied it 38 seconds later with his 37th goal of the season.
Penguins right wing Phil Kessel played in his 320th consecutive game, setting a franchise record.
--Field Level Media
Pittsburgh | Carolina | |
Jake Guentzel 2 | Points | Brock McGinn 1 |
Jake Guentzel 1 | Goals | Brock McGinn 1 |
Bryan Rust 2 | Assists | Justin Faulk 1 |
N/A | Power Play Goals | N/A |
N/A | Short Handed Goals | N/A |
Matt Murray .949 | Save Percentage | Petr Mrazek .947 |
Matt Murray 37 | Saves | Petr Mrazek 36 |
Team | Shots | Goals | Power Play | Penalty Kill | Penalty Mins | Face Offs Won |
Pittsburgh | 38 | 2 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 18 | 30 |
Carolina | 39 | 3 | 0-2 | 1-1 | 6 | 39 |