RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- The Carolina Hurricanes were the early beneficiaries of the NHL's crackdown on obstruction.
Cory Stillman and Mike Zigomanis each had a goal and two assists and Cam Ward made 24 saves as the Hurricanes scored four times on the power play en route to a 6-0 triumph over the Washington Capitals.
With hopes of winning back fans after the lockout by bringing more scoring to the game, the NHL announced it would take a "zero-tolerance" stance on obstruction, creating more power-play opportunities. The league stuck to its guns Friday at the RBC Center as 18 minor penalties were called, including 14 on the Capitals.
The Hurricanes took full advantage, with Eric Staal, Zigomanis, Matt Cullen and Stillman scoring power-play goals. Justin Williams added a shorthanded tally and former Capital Colin Forbes netted an even-strength goal for Carolina, which committed just four minors.
Ward, a first-round pick of the Hurricanes in 2002, turned aside 10 shots in each of the first two periods before stopping four in the final 20 minutes.
Maxime Ouellet allowed four goals on 23 shots in two periods for the Capitals, while Frederic Cassivi was victimized for two tallies in the third.
Erik Cole and new acquisitions Ray Whitney, Frantisek Kaberle and goaltender Martin Gerber did not play for Carolina. Former Vezina Trophy winner Olaf Kolzig, Dainius Zubrus and Andrew Cassels - a former member of the Hurricanes franchise - sat out for the Capitals.