TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Joni Pitkanen scored the game-winner Saturday night when the Carolina Hurricanes recorded a 3-2 victory against Tampa Bay.
With the score tied, 2-2, Pitkanen scored his sixth goal this season. He beat Tampa Bay goaltender Mike Smith after assists from Justin Williams and Ray Whitney at 6:21 of the second period.
Williams and Chad LaRose scored in the second to erase a 2-0 deficit, while Cam Ward made 17 saves on 19 shots for the Hurricanes, who have won four of their last five games.
Tampa Bay got a goal apiece from Ryan Craig and Vaclav Prospal, both in the first period.
Smith yielded three goals on 28 shots for the Lightning, who have dropped seven of their last eight home games and had their three-game winning streak snapped.
On the power play, Carolina went 1-for-5, and Tampa Bay was 0-for-3.
