Cam Ward was the best player on the ice in Game 2. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)

For the first time this season, Eric Staal recorded a point against the Bruins. And for the first time in the playoffs, the Bruins lost a game.

"No one expected that," said Patrice Bergeron of another sweep. "We never expected it was going to be a quick series. We knew they were ready to play."

Joe Corvo and Matt Cullen scored in the second period, with Staal adding an empty-netter. Cam Ward earned the shutout with 36 saves, with none better than the left-pad kickout of Michael Ryder's power-play shot in the third period.

"Cam has been our best penalty-killer and he has to be," said Chad LaRose. "He made a lot of big saves for us. When we get the pucks on our sticks, we have to get it done."

* Zdeno Chara was on the ice for all three Carolina goals. Chara committed the turnover that led to LaRose's shorthanded breakout. Then Chara and Dennis Wideman got caught marking LaRose, leaving Cullen open for the shortie. "We definitely didn't play the way we are capable of and we got away from our game plan," Chara said. "We didn't make very smart and good decisions with the puck."

* The Bruins practice tomorrow at noon at Ristuccia Arena.

* Tickets for Game 5 go on sale tomorrow (Monday) at 11 a.m. through Ticketmaster and bostonbruins.com.

STICK SALUTE: Paul Maurice. Gets Staal more ice time by double-shifting him with Sergei Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu. Draws up perfect game plan to force the Bruins into mistakes with the puck,

SIN BIN: Mark Recchi. The only Boston forward not to put a shot on net. Was on the ice for two Carolina goals.

***

All done at the Garden. Hurricanes, 3-0.

16:53 (3). A big-time PP for the Bruins coming up. Cam Ward was outstanding on the previous PP, turning aside Michael Ryder.

1:31 (3). First PP for Carolina. Comes 10 seconds after Cam Ward foils Phil Kessel in front.

20:00 (2). After 40 minutes, Hurricanes with a 2-0 lead. Bruins could be down 3-0, but video replay proved inconclusive, with the original call being no goal on Chad LaRose's last-second shot.

* The Bruins were far too careless with the puck in the second period. Prior to LaRose's attempt, Patrice Bergeron passed the puck to an empty point, allowing Dennis Seidenberg to go the other way after stepping out of the penalty box. Then, Tim Thomas left a fat rebound after Seidenberg's shot to give LaRose his scoring chance.

* The Bruins have 20 shots through two periods. But they have had few scoring chances on Cam Ward, who is making his saves look routine.

* Carolina has gone without a power play in each of the first 40 minutes in the first two games.

20:00 (2). After a lengthy review, no goal. Puck never crossed the line, according to review. Bruins catch a big-time break.

7:32 (2). Hurricanes, 2-0. SHG by Matt Cullen. All starts with a rotten D-to-D pass by Zdeno Chara to Dennis Wideman that Chad LaRose picks off. LaRose foiled on short-range shot, but feeds an open Cullen up top.

5:30 (2). Ryan Bayda drops Dennis Wideman behind the Boston net.

2:30 (2). Hurricanes, 1-0. Joe Corvo rips a point slapper past Tim Thomas. Eric Staal was battling in front with Zdeno Chara. Staal gets a helper, first point against the Bruins this season.

20:00 (1). After 20 minutes, no score.

* So far, advantage to Zdeno Chara and the Bruins in the matchup game against Eric Staal. The No. 1 center got his only sniff of offense in the final minute with two-close range whacks after Erik Cole forced Chara to cough up the puck. Earlier in the first, Chara dropped Staal with a big-time left shoulder. Later in the shift, Aaron Ward took exception to an apparent post-whistle Staal slash.

* Paul Maurice has tried skating Staal with Cole and Ray Whitney for parts of the game. Staal has also seen time between Sergei Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu. Each time, Chara was in Staal's face.

* Best hit so far: Stephane Yelle flattening Cole in the corner.

12:10 (1). Tim Thomas with his best stop so far. Thomas moves left to right to get a piece of Patrick Eaves's shot.

6:13 (1). Paul Maurice double-shifts Eric Staal with Sergei Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu. Zdeno Chara and Aaron Ward go out with them.

6:13 (1). First TV timeout. Excellent pace and flow to the game so far.

2:22 (1). That's two shifts for Ray Whitney-Eric Staal-Erik Cole. Paul Maurice with a curveball during warmups.