RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - Cam Ward made 42 saves to record his fourth shutout of the season that backstopped the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday and maintained their playoff hopes.
The ninth place Hurricanes moved to within two points of the idle New York Rangers for the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Both have two games remaining.
Derek Joslin scored the first goal for Carolina with a powerplay goal early in the second period before Jeff Skinner extended the lead with 1:13 remaining in the period.
Erik Cole added the third early in the final period on an assist from Eric Staal, who had three assists in the game.
The Red Wings' leading scorer Henrik Zetterberg left the game injured in the first period after colliding with Carolina defenseman Bryan Allen.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario. Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.