Hurricanes rediscover comforts of home

RALEIGH, North Carolina: Ray Whitney scored two goals to help the Carolina Hurricanes end a five-game home losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Southeast Division-leading Washington Capitals on Sunday.

Eric Staal also scored, breaking a 1-1 tie with a third period goal to help Paul Maurice net his first victory in his second stint as Hurricanes coach.

"It was a gritty win," Staal told reporters. "I thought we competed extremely hard."