NHL: Pittsburgh 6, Carolina 2

RALEIGH, N.C., May 23 (UPI) -- Evgeni Malkin had two goals and an assist Saturday, sparking Pittsburgh to a 6-2 win over Carolina and a 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference finals.

Sidney Crosby and Ruslan Fedotenko each had a goal and an assist for the Penguins, who need only one more win to close out the best-of-seven series.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 32 shots for Pittsburgh, which is trying to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year.

Sergei Samsonov and Matt Cullen each scored for the Hurricanes, who will host Game 4 Tuesday. Cam Ward gave up five goals on 39 shots.