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Final Score: Carolina 4 - Atlanta 1

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Jussi Jokinen scored a pair of goals, as the Carolina Hurricanes handled the Atlanta Thrashers, 4-1, to split a home-and- home series at Philips Arena.

Brandon Sutter had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, who bounced back from a 4-0 loss to Atlanta on Saturday. Erik Cole had the other goal for Carolina, which is now seven points back of Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Bruins lost to the Sabres on Monday.

Cam Ward made 26 saves in his first start since February 3 due to back problems.

"I was excited but also a bit nervous because I have been away from the game for so long. I went out there and tried to have some fun to relax the nerves," Ward said.

Nik Antropov scored the lone goal for the Thrashers, who have dropped three of four and remain two points behind Boston for eighth in the standings. Johan Hedberg turned aside 18-of-21 shots in defeat.

"I think it was a tight game between two teams that know each other pretty well," Hedberg said. "It's extremely frustrating. I am sure that everyone feels the same way. We've got another six [games] to go. We've got to make the most of those."

Atlanta's lone goal of the game came on the power-play at the 14:06 mark of the first period. Antropov's wrist shot found the back of the net, while Hedberg made nine saves over the first 20 minutes.

In the second stanza, Sutter and Jokinen each scored on snap shots at the 1:52 and 9:23 marks, respectively, to give Carolina a 2-1 edge.

Cole's slapper with 4:11 remaining in the third extended the Hurricanes' lead to 3-1. Jokinen then scored an empty-net goal with 2:08 left to account for the final margin.

Ward made 13 and 10 saves in the second and third periods, respectively.