Canes 3 Thrashers 2 (SO)

ATLANTA -- It took 30 games, but the Carolina Hurricanes finally got their first look Thursday at the Atlanta Thrashers.

Turns out, it was a long look.

The Hurricanes and Thrashers went 60 minutes, then an overtime, before finally settling it in a shootout. Carolina won it 3-2, getting shootout goals from Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Samsonov.

The Thrashers, who led 2-0 after two periods, got a score from Nik Antropov to open the shootout. But Cam Ward stopped Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien while Jokinen and Samsonov beat goaltender Chris Mason for the Canes (14-12-4).

Evander Kane scored a second-period power-play goal and set up Anthony Stewart's score late in the period as the Thrashers jumped to the 2-0 lead. But Brandon Sutter scored early in the third for the Canes and Eric Staal tied it six minutes into the period as Carolina again battled back.

In the overtime, Tuomo Ruutu had a good look for the Canes but couldn't score. Ward, back in net for the Canes after an early departure Wednesday against Florida, then robbed the Thrashers' Johnny Oduya with a big save.

Sutter gave the Hurricanes a spark 26 seconds into the third period. Ending a strong shift by his line, Sutter slapped the puck out of the air and past Thrashers goalie Chris Mason to pull Carolina within a goal.

Staal, who loves playing in Philips, then tied it. Taking advantage of a crazy carom off the boards in the Atlanta zone, Staal had an open shot from the left circle and slammed it home for his 13th goal of the season.

Staal's goal came moments after Ward stacked his pads for a big stop against Kane. Suddenly, it was a game again.

The Canes ignited for three third-period goals Wednesday against the Panthers for a dramatic 4-3 win, making for a more pleasant late-night flight to Atlanta. Now, they were greedy, after another two points to end their ninth back-to-back set of the season.

The Hurricanes lost forward Jiri Tlusty to an upper-body injury late in the first period after Tlusty, in a vulnerable position, was charged in the corner by Atlanta's Ben Eager. But playing a man down, the Canes found some added strength in the third.

The Thrashers (17-11-5) also played Wednesday on the road, and were in a surly mood after suffering a 2-1 shootout loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. But neither team was very sharp early, showing the effects of tough games and travel.

After a scoreless first period, the Thrashers appeared to have broken through for a power-play goal in the second. The Canes ' Erik Cole was called for holding at 6:47 of the second and Atlanta's Tobias Enstrom fired in a 30-foot shot at 8:35.

But Nik Antropov, who bumped into Ward, was called for incidental contact and the score disallowed. Thrashers fans booed but Kane picked up a bouncing puck in the slot 10 seconds later and ripped a shot past Ward for the 1-0 lead.

The Thrashers then made it 2-0 with 1:04 left in the second, converting a three-on-one rush. Kane, filling the left wing, couldn't get off a shot but collected the puck and got it to Stewart, who banged at it in front of Ward until he popped it in.

Ward was lifted just 1:42 into the Florida game after giving up two goals on five shots. But he made his ninth straight start and was focused, facing 18 shots in the first period and 31 in the first two periods.

Once again, the Canes completed the comeback.