Hurricanes use another OT, go up 2-1 over Leafs

TORONTO -- Jeff O'Neill showed once again how potent the Carolina Hurricanes are in overtime.

O'Neill scored 6:01 into the extra session, lifting the Hurricanes to a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday night.

The Hurricanes, who also beat Toronto 2-1 in overtime at Carolina on Sunday, took a 2-1 lead in the series, and improved to 5-1 in overtime games this postseason.

Ron Francis set up the play when he got around Toronto defender Anders Eriksson at the Maple Leafs blue line. Francis carried the puck to the net and, after having it tipped off his stick by Toronto's Tomas Kaberle, Francis kicked the puck ahead.

The puck dribbled to O'Neill who, cruising up the right side, lifted a shot over Curtis Joseph's right shoulder.

Game 4 of the best-of-seven series, which has seen the same 2-1 score in the first three contests, is Thursday at Toronto.