Crosby’s record-setting night spoiled by a loss

Scott Walker scored two goals, Cam Ward made 22 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes got a much-needed victory by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-2, Friday night at Raleigh, N.C.

The Hurricanes ended a two-game losing streak to move in front of the Montreal Canadiens for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The loss spoiled a record-setting night for Pittsburgh second-year center Sidney Crosby, who became the youngest NHL player to reach 200 points with a goal in the first period.

Crosby leads the league with 98 points, well on his way to his second consecutive season with at least 100. Wayne Gretzky is the only other teenager to reach 200 points, reaching the mark shortly before his 20th birthday. Crosby won’t be 20 until August.

Atlanta 4, Ottawa 2 -- Slava Kozlov scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period, and former King Eric Belanger had two goals to help the Thrashers end a five-game home losing streak. The loss ended the Senators’ three-game winning streak.

Buffalo 8, Montreal 5 -- Michael Ryan scored the first two goals of his NHL career to help the Sabres take over the top spot in the league with 91 points, passing Nashville. They improved to 9-0-1 in their last 10 games at home.

Detroit 6, Chicago 2 -- Robert Lang had a goal and three assists for his first multipoint game since Jan. 13, and Nicklas Lidstrom got his 200th goal and two assists to lead the Red Wings at Detroit.

Toronto 4, New Jersey 3 -- Yanic Perreault, Alex Steen and Jeff O’Neill scored in the shootout at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Maple Leafs denied Martin Brodeur his 40th win of the season. Andrew Raycroft stopped Sergei Brylin on the Devils’ fifth shootout attempt.

Columbus 3, Dallas 2 -- Fredrik Norrena stopped Sergei Zubov, Mike Modano and Jussi Jokinen in the shootout at Dallas, and Jason Chimera scored in the first round for the Blue Jackets.