ATLANTA -- The Carolina Hurricanes took the ice Thursday with a new captain, Eric Staal, wearing the "C" for the first time as a Cane.
A historic night, perhaps, for the Hurricanes and a huge night for Staal, who had a hat trick. Just as important for Carolina, the Canes picked up a needed "W."
With Jussi Jokinen backing up Staal with a goal and two assists, the Hurricanes held off the Atlanta Thrashers 5-2 at a half-filled Philips Arena. Carolina got a big game in goal from Cam Ward, converted three power plays into goals and used some hustling work on the penalty kill to end a three-game losing streak.
"After losing those games, we needed to respond with a win, and we got a great effort from everybody," Staal said. "Our penalty kill was superb, and Cam obviously was very good. He was the difference for us."
And Staal, too. As good as Ward was, it's hard to overlook someone scoring three times in his first game as captain.
"I think he wanted to show everyone that he deserves the letter," Jokinen said.
Not that it was easy. Little has been this season for the Canes.
Ward, making his 17th straight start in net for Carolina, picked up his 130th career win, tying Arturs Irbe for the franchise record. But he had to be very sound and awfully sharp, and especially so in the third period, when the Canes began parading to the penalty box and the Thrashers had a string of power plays.
"We just battled hard and got the job done," Ward said after posting 32 saves.
Colby Armstrong's goal with 8:12 left pulled the Thrashers to 4-2, and Atlanta kept constant pressure on Ward. Carolina's Jiri Tlusty was called for hooking with 5:14 to play in the third, again making the Hurricanes work short-handed, but Atlanta did not have a shot on goal in the power play. The Thrashers went 0-for-6 on the power play for the game.
Rich Peverley scored Atlanta's first goal, unassisted, in the second period.
"Eric played very well, our goaltender was good and our special teams very good," Canes coach Paul Maurice said. "That was the difference."
Staal got his third goal on an empty-netter in the final minute, and there were smiles all around on the Carolina bench.
"It was exciting for me, but I didn't play any differently," Staal said. "It was just one of those things. I got some great passes from linemates. It's funny how it worked out."
With Staal scoring twice and Sergei Samsonov and Jokinen picking up goals, the Canes bolted to a 4-0 lead early in the second period. Carolina got its third goal, by Jokinen, after it was initially waved off and then awarded to the Canes after a review during the next stoppage in play.
Staal was appointed captain Wednesday, succeeding Rod Brind'Amour, and returned to his natural position at center. He said he relished the challenge of being the team leader and promptly scored at 3:31 of the first period for a 1-0 lead.
"Obviously, he's one of those players who can rise to the occasion and to the level we need him," Jokinen said.
The Thrashers, only one point out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference but playing their third game in four days, were sluggish in the opening period as the Hurricanes beat them to pucks and beat them up the ice.
Staal picked up his 11th goal of the season on a rush into the Thrashers zone, carrying the puck through defenders in the slot, passing to Jokinen on the right wing and then banging in the return pass. Just 3:31 into the game, it was 1-0.
And soon 2-0. Atlanta's Pavel Kubina was called for tripping, and Sergei Samsonov scored with six seconds left on the power play, off the long rebound of a Brett Carson shot at 6:32.
"We jumped out to a good start," Staal said. "It was good to get those goals early."
The Canes began the second period with a minute left on a power play, and a Jokinen shot nicked Pavelec's stick, the puck hitting defenseman Ron Hainsey's skate near the goal line.
The initial call was no goal, and play resumed. But at the first stoppage the sequence was reviewed, and Jokinen was awarded the goal for a 3-0 lead as boos filled the arena.
Nineteen seconds later, the Canes were back on the power play and Staal soon back on the scoresheet. He rifled a shot from the left circle, sticking his right arm up after the goal.
Brind'Amour had been the Canes' captain since August 2005, leading the franchise to the 2006 Stanley Cup. But the change in captaincy was made, and Brind'Amour was an alternate captain - an "A" on his jersey - on Thursday at Philips Arena.
The Hurricanes next play Philadelphia at 1 p.m. in a Saturday matinee. It will be another meeting with former coach Peter Laviolette, now the Flyers coach, and possibly former Canes goaltender Michael Leighton.
