PHOTO: The Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal (12) is congratulated by Jiri Tlusty (19), Tim Brent (37) and Brandon Sutter (16) after he scored the game winner Thursday, April 6, 2012, during the shootout period of an NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the PNC Arena in Raleigh. The Canes beat Montreal 2-1 in the Canes' final home game of the season. Photo by Chris Seward - cseward@newsobserver.com

RALEIGH -- The Carolina Hurricanes played their final home game of the season Thursday and sent their fans home happy as Eric Staal’s goal in a shootout lifted the Canes to a 2-1 victory at PNC Arena.

The Canadiens had a brief 5-on-3 power play late in regulation but could not score. Montreal then began the overtime with 1:33 of a 4-on-3 power play and could not score.

In the shootout, Canes goalie Cam Ward stopped shots by Lars Eller and David Desharnais, while Habs goalie Peter Budaj stopped Jeff Skinner and the Canes' Jussi Jokinen was wide on his attempt.