NEWARK, N.J. — The Carolina Hurricanes could be a very tough team in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Tuomo Ruutu scored the deciding goal late in the third period and Cam Ward made 31 saves as the Hurricanes extended their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 2-1 victory over the Devils on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes are peaking at the right time, with the regular season heading into the final two weeks.
“It’s been huge, but it’s important that we bear down for the last five games,” Ward said. “We haven’t done anything yet, but we’ve certainly set ourselves up for some success. We haven’t clinched yet, so we have to continue to fight.”
The Hurricanes pulled out the latest victory with both goals in the final 6:55. Ruutu sealed the win, connecting for a power-play goal with 3:55 remaining. He knocked in a rebound from the slot after Eric Stall tried to jam the puck past goalie Martin Brodeur.
“It was in traffic and I just got the bounce,” Ruutu said.
Brodeur was hoping for a whistle before Ruutu wound up with the puck.
“I thought I had it,” Brodeur said. “That should have been a quick whistle. You get calls on your side sometimes, and sometimes it goes the other way. I thought I had control enough.”
Sergei Samsonov also scored for Carolina.
