ATLANTA, April 8 (UPI) -- Cam Ward had to make just 18 saves Friday and got plenty of help in carrying the Carolina Hurricanes to the brink of the playoffs with a 6-1 win over Atlanta.
The Hurricanes moved into a tie with the New York Rangers for the eighth and final post-season spot in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have one game to play and Carolina holds the tiebreak advantage.
Carolina hosts Tampa Bay Saturday and the Rangers close out their season Saturday at home against New Jersey.
Tuomo Ruutu and Jeff Skinner both had a goal and two assists in helping push the Hurricanes to their fifth win in six games.
Ward had his shutout bid spoiled by Bryan Little with 38 seconds left in the third period.
Ondrej Pavelec gave up six goals on 32 shots in taking the loss.
