Early in the second period, with the Canes up 2-0, MARTIN GERBER made a huge save on ILYA KOVALCHUK to preseve Carolina's lead. ANTON BABCHUK scored later in the period to run the lead to three as the Canes rolled to their ninth straight home win.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

18,930attendance Saturday, the largest regular-season crowd in RBC Center history and the fourth-largest overall.

4twenty-goal scorers on the Carolina roster with Erik Cole scoring his 20th. The franchise record is eight.

50career goals for Kevyn Adams after his clincher Saturday.

N&O'S THREE STARS

1. ROD BRIND'AMOUR, CAROLINA: On the night the Canes honored their old captain, the current one continued to lead by example.

2. KEVYN ADAMS, CAROLINA: Took eight shots on goal, then scored into an empty net on the ninth.

3. MARTIN GERBER, CAROLINA: Made the big saves when he needed to on an otherwise quiet night.

NEXT GAME

Carolina at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, WMMY-102.9