Captain Eric Staal scored twice for the Hurricanes, who won for the third time in their last five games and collected at least a point for the fifth straight game (3-0-2). Jiri Tlusty and Jamie McBain had goals as well.

Tomas Plekanec, Erik Cole, and David Desharnais replied for Montreal, which lost to Carolina for the first time this season. Cam Ward stopped 29 shots for his 21st win.

Sharks 5, Capitals 3 - Joe Pavelski had two goals and two assists against a goalie playing in the NHL for the first time in nearly a year, leading the visiting Sharks to their 16th victory in their last 17 games against Washington.

Patrick Marleau added two goals, and Brent Burns also scored on Braden Holtby, who was brought up from Hershey of the American Hockey League earlier in the day to make a surprise start for Washington - something he hadn’t done since last March. Washington’s No. 1 goalie, Tomas Vokoun, was ill, and No. 2 Michal Neuvirth played Sunday in a loss at the New York Rangers.

Joe Thornton collected three assists for the Pacific Division-leading Sharks.

Washington has won only three of its last 11.