=== Thrashers and 'Canes begin home-and-home ===

(My Sportsbook) - A pair of Southeast Division rivals battle this evening, as the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Atlanta Thrashers to the RBC Center in the opener of a home-and-home series.

The Hurricanes went the distance with Toronto on Friday and picked up a victory. Radim Vrbata and Matt Cullen each recorded shootout goals, as Carolina edged Toronto, 4-3, in Raleigh.

Martin Gerber made 35 saves in regulation and stopped two more during the shootout phase to help the Hurricanes stop a three-game losing streak.

Rookie Andrew Ladd recorded his first career goal in the win, while Eric Staal and Bret Hedican also tallied for Carolina.

Justin Williams posted an assist for the Hurricanes and extended his point scoring streak to six games. He has four goals and four assists in the stretch.

Carolina's 31 points lead the Southeast Division and are the most points in franchise history after the first 22 games of the season. The previous record of 27 points after 22 games was set by the Hartford Whalers in 1986-87.

The Thrashers played Saturday and posted a 7-4 victory over the Florida Panthers. Marc Savard scored two goals and added two assists to lead Atlanta at Philips Arena.

Michael Garnett made 16 saves in the game for Atlanta, which also snapped a three-game skid.

Vyacheslav Kozlov picked up a goal and added an assist.

Carolina has a 9-3 record on home ice this year, while the Thrashers are 4-6-2 on the road.

The Thrashers destroyed Carolina, 9-0, at the RBC Center on November 12. It was the second straight win in the series for Atlanta.

The home-and-home set concludes Tuesday evening in Atlanta.