In what has been a rough season for the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Cam Ward came up trumps for the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. The 31 year-old netminder made 37 saves and was named the game’s second star as the Hurricanes (13-15-5) beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (15-14-3) 2-1 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh.
Carolina struck quickly on the power play about five minutes in as former Penguin Jordan Staal took a pass from defenseman Justin Faulk in stride, weaved his way past a Penguins defender and beat rookie goalie Matt Murray under his arm for a 1-0 Hurricanes lead.
The Penguins picked up play quite a bit after Carolina took the lead, but Ward was able to keep them off the board.
Late in the period, left winger Jeff Skinner drew back to back penalties, both for high sticking, and the Canes made Pittsburgh pay on the second one. With just over five minutes left in the period, defenseman John-Michael Liles fired home a slapshot from the point to put the Canes up by a pair, and despite being outshot 13-9 for the period Carolina headed to the locker room up 2-0.
Pittsburgh wasted little time cutting the lead in half to start the period, as with Eric Staal in the box for holding Penguins center Evgeni Malkin fired home a quick wrister about two minutes into the period.
The middle frame was evenly played, with Pittsburgh holding a 13-12 shot advantage. Carolina got their own power play six minutes and change into the period, but despite both units having several good looks and holding the puck in Pittsburgh’s zone for almost the entirety of the man-advantage, neither could convert, and the second period ended with the Hurricanes up by a goal.
Pittsburgh pressed hard for the entirety of the third period, outshooting Carolina 12-5, but Ward held serve, making several sharp saves, and the defenseman were able to make key plays to take away opportunities.
Rookie Brett Pesce was particularly impressive, making two big blocks on an early Pittsburgh power play to help preserve the lead.
Pittsburgh pulled Murray for an extra attacker late, but the Canes were able to grind it out and get a win.
The Canes have won four of their last six against the Penguins, and will play the flightless birds four additional times this season, twice more at Consol, and twice at PNC Arena.
Carolina will next host the Washington Capitals at PNC Arena Monday in their final game before the NHL’s three day Christmas shutdown.
