Canes 2, Jets 1

RALEIGH  -- The Carolina Hurricanes may believe the NHL All-Star Game break is coming at the wrong time.

The Hurricanes topped the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 Monday at the RBC Center, getting first-period goals from Jeff Skinner and Tim Brent and another standing-tall game in net by goaltender Cam Ward.

"Tonight was a grind," said Ward, who had 29 saves. "The Jets definitely threw everything at us in the third period but we stuck with it."

The Canes, who now have a week off, are 4-1-2 in their last seven games. It also was the ninth straight game that Ward has allowed two or fewer goals in a game.

"I thought Ward was very aggressive and come out ready to block pucks," Jets coach Claude Noel said. "I thought he made some good saves. He was more fortunate on some but that's what you get. We did everything but score."

The Hurricanes (18-24-9) do not play again until a Jan. 31 game against the New York Islanders. It’s a long time off for everyone but defenseman Justin Faulk, who was one of 12 rookies chosen to participate in the 2012 NHL All-Star event in Ottawa this week.

The Jets (22-21-6), who outshot the Caness 14-2 in the final period, nearly tied the score with two minutes left in regulation. But Kyle Wellwood, who scored in the second period, was high on an attempt in front.

"We had an opportunity to win the game but the ice wasn't great," Noel said. "It looked like we were playing a basketball for a while. I thought we had enough chances to win the game in the third period alone.

"We had enough chances throughout the game, but they got a lucky goal and ended up losing."

The Jets pulled Chris Mason for an extra attacker with 1:25 left in regulation but could not tie the score.

Skinner and Brent scored goals as the Canes led 2-0 after the opening period. Skinner picked up his 14th of the season and second in as many games at 3:55 of the first period and Brent scored midway through the first.

The Jets had a lot more jump in the second period and trimmed the lead to 2-1 with 6:13 left on Kyle Wellwood's goal. Wellwood scored on a one-timer from the slot for his ninth of the season, then was just wide on another scoring chance a minute later.

Skinner scored on a 2-on-1 rush with Zac Dalpe when he attempted to pass from the left wing to Dalpe. But the puck hit the left skate of defenseman Ron Hainsey and bounced back to Skinner, who lifted a shot past goalie Chris Mason.

"I thought tonight was his best game coming back so far," Muller said of Skinner. "He had better legs and made better decisions with the puck. He had a strong game and that's the way we need him to playing going down the stretch."

Brent made it 2-0 at 9:28 with his sixth goal of the season as the Canes' fourth-line scored.

Anthony Stewart fought for the puck along the boards, and Brent attempted to bakhand a pass across the crease to Chad LaRose, only to have the puck hit Mason's foot and bank into the net.

"Sometimes in the season you wonder when the bounces are going to come your way and then we got two bounces tonight," Skinner said.

Canes forward Chad LaRose left the game in the second period after suffering a cut leg during a collision with the Jets' Chris Thorburn. Coach Kirk Muller said the cut did not appear to be as serious as first believed and that he was hopeful LaRose would be ready after the break.

"We've been playing well lately," Muller said. "I think it is probably a good time for our guys to recharge."