Canes, Ward shut out Blackhawks 3-0

RALEIGH -- Cam Ward picked up the shutout Friday and the Carolina Hurricanes' goalie was named the game's first star.

As Canes defenseman Bryan Allen put it, "He was our calming influence."

But Ward, as well as anyone, knew all that it took to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 at the RBC Center and snap a three-game winless streak that was becoming a bit worrisome.

Ward stopped 30 shots for his 17th career shutout, and none of the saves was bigger than the one on a Jonathan Toews breakaway in the second period. But the players in front of him blocked another 20 shots. They skated, they battled, they cut off shooting lanes and cleared pucks.

"With the skill and talent they have on that team you know they're going to get some scoring opportunities," Ward said of the Blackhawks. "I felt I was really seeing the puck really well, and that was because of the guys in front of me who were clearing out guys in front and letting me see it and controlling it."

For two periods, it was a 1-0 game. The Canes (4-3-3) scored early in the first when center Tim Brent won a faceoff in the Hawks' zone and defenseman Tim Gleason rifled a shot from the right point, the puck glancing off Brent and eluding Chicago goalie Corey Crawford.

In the second, Ward made the save on Toews, the Chicago captain, but Crawford made one just as big on Canes captain Eric Staal, who had suffered a cut on his nose on a high-stick in the first period. Staal, hooked by Brent Seabrook on a shorthanded breakaway, was awarded a penalty shot with 2:38 left in the period but could not elevate a forehand past Crawford.

Brandon Sutter and Jiri Tlusty broke it open with goals in the third period, handing the Blackhawks (5-2-2) their first regulation loss since their season-opener.

Sutter took a tripping penalty early in the third against forward Patrick Sharp. The Canes killed off the penalty, Ward denying Patrick Kane on one shot, and Sutter came flying out of the penalty box.

Taking a pass from Jussi Jokinen, Sutter roared in and blasted a rising shot past Crawford.

"Usually when you step out (of the box), the last thing you're expecting is a chance like that," Sutter said. "It's always nice to get a chance like that and it's nice to bury it."

Tlusty, given a chance to start on Staal's line for the first time, was on the receiving end of a well-executed pass from Allen, who first faked a shot on a two-on-one rush and found Tlusty for a tap-in. Allen, a physical presence in the defensive zone, was plus-3 for the game.

The Hawks' big guns got their shots — Toews had five, and Kane and Sharp four each -- but couldn't get the puck past Ward. Marian Hossa's goal streak of five straight games also came to an end.

"We got dominated in all areas of the game," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "They were the more determined team."

Sutter pointed to Ward's stop on Toews' breakaway as the most critical play, saying, "That was the difference right there. If he scores that goal they probably get a little momentum. A big stop."

The Hurricanes may need more Saturday night. They'll be in Philadelphia to face a Flyers team steaming over a 9-8 loss to the Winnipeg Jets on home ice Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena.

Canes coach Paul Maurice indicated Friday night that he would start Brian Boucher in goal. Boucher played for the Flyers the past two seasons.

"We really wanted to right the ship and play a very solid 60 minutes," Ward said. "Once again, we showed the way we're capable of playing. It's a matter of doing that on a consistent basis."