Ward's shutout powers Hurricanes past Rangers

RALEIGH, North Carolina: The Carolina Hurricanes leapfrogged into the Eastern Conference playoff picture on Monday after netminder Cam Ward's fifth shutout of the season led them to a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers.

The rejuvenated Hurricanes began the day in ninth place in the East but their fourth consecutive victory allowed them to pass Florida, the Rangers and Pittsburgh and pull even with fifth-place Montreal on 77 points.

"It was a playoff game in our eyes," Ward told reporters. "Everybody knows what's at stake."