"The Carolina Hurricanes' Jeff Skinner now has two goals against the Los Angeles Kings, and both rank as memorable.

The first came early last season, when Skinner was a rookie. It was his first NHL goal and came at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where Skinner was the Canes' first-round draft pick just a few months earlier.

The second one? It came Saturday night, at the RBC Center. It also proved to be the difference in a hard-fought game.

Skinner's hard-working goal barely three minutes into the third period pushed the Hurricanes ahead, and they held on for the 2-1 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 18,680.

Which goal was sweeter?

"The first one was pretty cool," Skinner said. "That was a big one tonight."

Which was more memorable?

"I guess the right answer is game-winner," Skinner said, smiling. "Most guys would say first goal. That's pretty cool. Obviously, right now, this one feels pretty good."

Two days after finishing a season sweep of the Bruins with a 3-0 win in Boston, the Hurricanes were slow starters. Los Angeles played Friday in St. Louis, losing 1-0, and then flew to Raleigh, but the Kings were the sharper, fresher team during the first period.

Anze Kopitar gave the Kings (25-18-10) an early 1-0 lead with a power-play goal, and the Canes managed just four shots on goal during the opening period. Carolina couldn't win faceoffs, couldn't get to pucks, couldn't get the puck deep."