from Kurt Dusterberg at NHL.com,

Jordan Staal scored 2:03 into overtime, and the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup First Round at PNC Arena on Tuesday.

Staal batted the puck out of the air after goalie Juuse Saros stopped a shot from the point by Brett Pesce. The goal came 20 seconds after Alexandre Carrier was called for interference, which ended a Predators power play.

"I was fortunate enough, I easily could have whiffed on that one," Staal said. "I think I got my shaft on it. I was just swinging at it and I got a good bounce."

Martin Necas scored twice, and Alex Nedeljkovic made 23 saves for Carolina, which is the No. 1 seed from the Discover Central Division and leads the series.

"I think we got rewarded tonight," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "We finally got a bounce, something that went our way that we really haven't had this series. It's that kind of goal you have to have every night."

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Game highlights are below.