NHL: Carolina 4, New Jersey 2

RALEIGH, N.C., March 18 (UPI) -- Anton Babchuk scored twice Wednesday and Carolina, facing Kevin Weekes instead of Martin Brodeur, downed New Jersey 4-2.

One night after establishing an NHL record for most career wins by a goaltender, Brodeur was given his first game off since Feb. 19.

Weekes allowed four goals on 32 shots.

Eric Staal and Sergei Samsonov also scored for Carolina, which ended a three-game losing streak and moved into a tie with idle Montreal for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.

Cam Ward, making his 19th straight start, stopped 41 shots.

Babchuk opened the scoring midway through the first period and gave Carolina a 3-1 lead with 38 seconds left in the second. All four Carolina goals came on the power play.