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Rolston, red-hot Devils keep rolling with win over Carolina

Feb 17, 2011 - 2:57 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Brian Rolston and Patrik Elias scored 85 seconds apart early in the third period, lifting the red-hot New Jersey Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Prudential Center.

Johan Hedberg made 25 saves for New Jersey, which improved to 13-1-2 in its last 16 games.

Sergei Samsonov and Tuomo Ruutu lit the lamp for the Hurricanes, who wrapped a five-game road trip the same way in which it began -- a loss to New Jersey. Carolina has dropped six of eight overall.

Cam Ward, making his 17th consecutive start, stopped 19-of-22 shots in defeat.

Rolston gave New Jersey a 2-0 lead 34 seconds into the third period. Anssi Salmela carried the puck across the blue line and dished to Elias streaking down the left wing. Ward turned away Elias' bid from the faceoff circle, but Rolston backhanded home the rebound.

Moments later, Elias took a pass from Rolston in the neutral zone, made a move to the middle of the ice and whipped a backhander past Ward.

After Samsonov made it 3-1 at the 8:17 mark, the visitors failed to convert on consecutive power plays.

Carolina pulled Ward late in regulation and Ruutu one-timed Eric Staal's pass through the crease. However, the tally came with just five seconds remaining as the comeback fell short.

Ilya Kovalchuk's third goal in as many games opened the scoring at 5:41 of the middle stanza.

Game Notes

The Hurricanes have lost five straight in New Jersey...Kovalchuk has six goals and four assists during an eight-game point streak...The Devils have won seven of their last eight home games.