PITTSBURGH — Anthony Mantha scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Mantha, who scored in his third straight game, had a power-play goal in the first period and added another goal in the second as Pittsburgh jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Justin Brazeau set a career high with his 12th goal and added an assist. Tommy Novak had a goal and an assist, and Sidney Crosby scored his 21st of the season.
Erik Karlsson had two assists and passed Brad Park for the 14th-most points by a defenseman in NHL history. Bryan Rust also added two assists for the Penguins, who have won three of four following an eight-game losing streak.
Stuart Skinner made 27 saves and improved to 1-3 with the Penguins since they acquired him Dec. 12 from Edmonton in a trade that sent goalie Tristan Jarry to the Oilers.
Mark Jankowski scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost four of six.
Frederik Andersen stopped 23 shots for Carolina. He is 0-6-2 in his last eight starts and hasn't won since Nov. 6 against Minnesota.
Crosby and the Penguins took advantage of a turnover behind the net to open a 1-0 lead 3:46 into the game.
Brazeau and Mantha made it 3-0 later in the period with goals 1:05 apart. Brazeau chipped a shot behind Andersen at 16:07 while falling to the ice on a partial breakaway, and Mantha scored a power-play goal at 17:12 from the top of the crease. Brett Kulak set up Brazeau's breakaway with his 100th NHL assist.
