Updated 10:48 p.m.

RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes finally, on their fourth try this season, beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, with a 4-1 win at the RBC Center Friday.

But even with grabbing a pair of big points, center Eric Staal left the game late in the second period with an upper body injury and did not return.

Staal, following through on a shot in the slot, was hit hard by just-acquired Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Niskanen.

Staal, who earlier this week delivered a bit hit to his brother Marc Staal of the New York Rangers, stayed on the ice for moments before being led to the dressing room.

Carolina coach Paul Maurice said Staal won’t play in Saturday’s road game against the Montreal Canadiens.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't nearly as menacing or dangerous without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the lineup.

But the Penguins still know how to win.

The Pens found a way Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Getting a goal late in the second period from Dustin Jeffrey, then scores from Mark Letestu and Pascal Dupuis in the third, Pittsburgh notched a 3-2 victory at Consol Energy Center.

PITTSBURGH -- The Carolina Hurricanes paid their first visit Friday to Consol Energy Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins' new digs.

They'd probably say they liked the Pens' old place better.

In the first game decided by a shootout in the new building, the Penguins won 5-4.

The Carolina Hurricanes toppled the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins, the best team in the Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh turned out to be ... more

Staff photo by Ethan Hyman

RALEIGH — The Carolina Hurricanes toppled Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils in the first round and the Boston Bruins, the best team in the Eastern Conference, in the second round.

The Pittsburgh Penguins turned out to be too much. The Canes' unlikely postseason run ended Tuesday night with a 4-1 loss on their home ice.

The Penguins, the Stanley Cup runner-up in 2008, will get another shot at the NHL's top prize after sweeping the Canes in the Eastern Conference Finals.

A clip from "Rocky Balboa" played on the jumbotron during the second period of Game 3.

Cardinal rule of jumbotron management: Never motivate with a Rocky movie made after 1985.

For tonight's Game 4, the CanesVision crew should consider the more appropriate "Rocky IV," aka the movie that single-handedly toppled the Soviet Union (perhaps it will have the same effect on Evgeni Malkin).

Evgeni Malkin has the Pittsburgh Penguins poised to play for the Stanley Cup and almost single-handedly finished off the Carolina Hurricanes' ... more

See 363 raw images from Game 3 at the RBC Center on Saturday, May 23, 2009.

Staff photo by Ethan Hyman

• Photo gallery: Penguins 6, Canes 2

• First Look: See 363 raw images from the game

 RALEIGH — You can see the end from here.

Evgeni Malkin has the Pittsburgh Penguins poised to play for the Stanley Cup and almost single-handedly has finished off the Carolina Hurricanes' inspiring playoff run.

Malkin's two goals and assist led the Penguins to a 6-2 rout of the Canes in Game 3 and a 3-0 series stranglehold.