NHL: Pittsburgh 3, Carolina 2

PITTSBURGH, May 18 (UPI) -- Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist Monday to lead Pittsburgh to a 3-2 win over Carolina in Game 1 of their Eastern final series.

Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves.

Philippe Boucher also had a goal and an assist and Miroslav Satan also scored for the Penguins, who are in the conference finals for the second straight season after beating Philadelphia and Washington.

Chad LaRose and Joe Corvo each scored a goal and Cam Ward made 28 saves for the Carolina Hurricanes, who defeated New Jersey and Boston to reach the conference finals for the first year since they won the Stanley Cup in 2006.

Game 2 of this best-of-seven series is scheduled for Thursday in Pittsburgh.