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Fleury hopes for another strong effort vs. Hurricanes

Jan 20, 2009 - 1:23 PM Carolina (22-20-5) at Pittsburgh (23-20-4),

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Marc-Andre Fleury has the chance to end the first half of the season in rousing fashion.

Likely to start in goal for the fifth straight game, Fleury seeks his second shutout in a row as the Pittsburgh Penguins continue their five-game homestand against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Following a dismal effort in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, Fleury made 21 saves in the Penguins' 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

In Sunday's 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers, Fleury made 33 saves and posted his second shutout of the season and 13th of his career.

Captain Sidney Crosby, who missed the Ducks' game with an apparent leg injury, returned to Pittsburgh's lineup but was held without a point for the 15th time this season.

The Hurricanes ended a season-high, five-game losing streak with a 2-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday behind a 35-save performance by Cam Ward.

Carolina secured eight victories in 11 contests from December 16-January 6, capped by a season-high, four-game winning streak. But it had since fizzled, enduring the team's longest slide since going 0-4-1 from December 5-15, 2006.

Thanks to Ward's brilliance, the Hurricanes avoided losing six straight games in regulation for the first time since March 26-April 6, 2003.