NHL: Carolina 4, N.Y. Islanders 3

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Eric Staal scored on a breakaway in the third period Thursday night to give Carolina a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders for its ninth straight victory.

Andrew Ladd, Matt Cullen and Kevyn Adams also scored goals; both Rod Brind'Amour and Justin Williams had two assists; and Cam Ward made 36 saves for the red-hot Hurricanes (32-10-4), who pushed their NHL-best points total to 68.

Radek Martinek, Mark Parrish and Arron Asham scored goals and Rick DiPietro allowed four goals on 25 shots for the Islanders (20-24-2), who have lost five of their last seven games.

Despite the loss, the Islanders out-shot Carolina, 39-25. On the power play, the Islanders were 0-for-7 while the Hurricanes went 1-for-2.