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Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jiri Tlusty recorded two goals and an assist as the Carolina Hurricanes came through with a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opener of a home-and-home series. Nathan Gerbe snapped a 2-2 tie with a power-play score early in the third period that helped the Hurricanes halt a three-game skid and deal the powerful Penguins just their third regulation defeat in their last 16 outings. Carolina entered the matchup an NHL-worst 2-9-2 on the road this season. Patrick Dwyer added a goal to support a 20-save effort from Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward. Pittsburgh, which was outshot by a 35-22 margin, received goals from Kris Letang and Patric Hornqvist. Sidney Crosby assisted on both markers, with Marc-Andre Fleury stopping 31-of-34 chances in defeat. We just didnt play well, Crosby said. (The Hurricanes) work hard. They pressure the puck and they just out-battled us, but they did the right things and we didnt play well at all. After outplaying the Penguins through two periods but still mired in a 2-2 deadlock, the Hurricanes capitalized on a goaltender interference penalty to Crosby to regain the upper hand. Elias Lindholm hit Gerbe in the left circle with a pass across the width of the ice, and the diminutive wing fired a shot through Fleurys pads 3:10 into the frame. The Hurricanes maintained the lead as Pittsburgh barely tested Ward the rest of the way, with Tlusty sealing the outcome on an empty-net goal with 12.4 seconds left. We were able to control our gaps and prevent them from getting in the neutral zone and it seemed to (get to) them a little bit, said Ward. Carolina struck first near the end of an opening period in which they racked up 17 shots, with Tlustys bad-angle attempt from the left boards caroming off the leg of Pittsburghs Olli Maatta and trickling by Fleury just under 16 minutes in. The Penguins answered a mere 43 seconds later, however, when Letang swooped in to poke a rebound of Nick Spalings wrister into an open left side. Carolina regained the upper hand early in the second, as a Pittsburgh turnover near center ice led to Dwyer beating Fleury glove-side with 2:54 elapsed in the stanza. Pittsburgh again had a response, however, as Hornqvist took in a drop pass from Crosby in transition and rocketed the puck by Ward 4:08 prior to the second intermission. Game Notes The two teams will square off again Saturday in Raleigh ... Pittsburgh was dealt its first regulation loss at home since a 5-3 setback to Philadelphia on Oct. 22 ... The Hurricanes had been 1-4-2 in their last seven visits to Pittsburgh, which had won five of the last six overall meetings between the clubs ... Crosby now has six assists over the Penguins last three games ... Pittsburghs Evgeni Malkin had a six-game point streak halted ... Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford held the same role for Carolina from 1994 until stepping down in March. Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys . Rajon Rondo had 18 of Bostons season-high 38 assists and the Celtics committed just seven turnovers in a 118-111 win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. USA Soccer Jerseys 2019 . You can watch coverage on TSN, TSN2 and CTV beginning today at 3pm et/Noon pt. The championships will feature approximately 250 of Canadas best figure skaters in senior, junior and novice as they vie for spots on the national team, international assignments and will act as the final step in the 2014 Olympic qualification process. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . Hamels threw seven sharp innings to earn his 100th career victory, Domonic Brown had a career-best five RBIs and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-1 on Saturday night to end a four-game losing streak. USA Soccer Gear . -- Arizona coach Sean Miller rose from his seat every time Roberto Nelson touched the ball and yelled "Shooter!" He could have been talking about his own team, too. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys . - While a fast-paced offence has become more of a fixture in recent years, the San Antonio Spurs can still grind out games when needed.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have signed kick returners/receivers Armanti Edwards and Micheal Spurlock and reached an injury settlement with receiver Domenik Hixon. They also waived linebacker Tana Patrick on Tuesday. Edwards has 40 punt returns for 281 yards and 15 kickoff returns for 295 yards over four seasons with Carolina (2010-13) and Cleveland (2013). Spurlock has appeared in 67 gaames with two starts over seven seasons with seven teams, including 11 games with Detroit and Dallas last season.dddddddddddd He has 81 punt returns for 780 yards and two touchdowns along with 107 kickoff returns for 2,594 yards and three touchdowns. Hixon has 109 receptions for 1,460 yards and seven touchdowns in eight years with Denver (2006-07), the New York Giants (2008-12) and Carolina (2013). ' ' '