RALEIGH -- Jussi Jokinen could see nothing but net. An open net.

With the Carolina Hurricanes trailing the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in the final seconds Saturday, Jokinen had a clear shot from the left of the net to tie the score. But Pens goalie Brent Johnson threw out his pad and got the puck with his toe, barely keeping it from crossing the goal line.

The Pens held on for the victory, handing Kirk Muller his third loss as the Canes' new coach and stretching Carolina winless streak to six games.

"Obviously it's very frustrating," Jokinen said. "You can't deny that. It has been really tough. But there's nothing you can do. You can't change the past, just (look) to the future. It's never too late to turn around the season."

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 played hard and for the most part played well Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Canes banged and hounded the puck. Ray Whitney scored twice and Cam
Ward twice made spectacular saves to deny the Penguins a goal. Carolina
gamely rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the score and force overtime.

But the Hurricanes couldn't finish it off against the Stanley Cup
champions. The Penguins took a 3-2 shootout victory at the RBC Center
on Chris Kunitz' goal.

The Penguins' Sidney Crosby talks about the similarities between the two teams. Video by staff photojournalist Chris Seward.

Mayor Charles Meeker made a bet involving beer, barbeque, ham, cheese and potatoes this afternoon with a man 29 years his junior.

And it was all in the name of civic pride.

Meeker and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl spoke today on a conference call and confirmed that a friendly wager between the two cities has been agreed to.

If the Penguins defeat the Hurricanes, Meeker, 58, will send 10 pounds of the The Pit’s chopped barbeque and a case of Big Boss beer to Ravenstahl, the 29-year-old mayor who was first elected in 2006 after his predecessor died in office.

Rumors that Meeker would also agree to change his name to Charles Malkin in the event the Penguins win turned out to be false.

If the Canes dump the Penguins, Ravenstahl will send Meeker five pounds of Isaly’s chipped chopped ham, three dozen pierogies, a case of Iron City beer and a defibulator. Okay, the last item isn't really part of the bet. But for those people worried about the rail-thin Meeker's heath should the Canes prevail, rest easy. Meeker promised to auction off this gut bomb or donate it to a food bank.

The Hurricanes and Penguins begin their best-of-seven series tonight in Pittsburgh. The winning mayor advances to the Stanley Cup Finals where he will be allowed to make another bet with a legendary pol or a former NBA great.

The two Democratic mayors traded some friendly banter this afternoon on their brief phone call.

Noting that the Steelers won the Super Bowl earlier this year, Meeker asked Ravenstahl how the Pittsburgh Pirates were doing and whether the city has any chance of corralling three major sports titles at once.

Ravenstahl said turning the moribund Pirates franchise around is a tall task.

“If you could help be get that done I’d be re-elected for life,” Ravenstahl said.

Ravenstahl undoubtedly has other things besides hockey on his mind these days. Pittsburgh holds its Democratic mayoral primary tomorrow, and two challengers are attempting to unseat Ravenstahl.