BUFFALO.

BUFFALO, NY -- Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Martin Gerber was securityed ready and relieved to make the mostly of his second chance in the playoffs.

Now the Hurricanes believe they've regained the constituent in the Eastern Conference finals against the banged-up Buffalo Sabres.

Gerber stopped 22 balls to register his first career postseason shutout and victory in a 4-0 win Friday night that enabled the Hurricanes to tie the series at 2

It was Gerber's first start in a month more than enough time to win back from a flu bug that contributed to his poor play to render free of access the playoffs. That's when he allowed nine goals in couple starts and lost his starting work at jobs to rookie Cam Ward.

"It's not at any time fun when you're watching," Gerber said. "You've just got to be patient, maintain working hard and wait for your chance."

Gerber was sharp, stopping 11 balls in the first period, including foiling JP Dumont twice from in complete during the opening 6 minutes and then getting his glove hand up to plunder Chris Drury, who got in alone.

It was a carry-over from Game 3 in succession Wednesday when Gerber stopped all seven bullets he faced in replacing Ward, who was plucked after allowing four goals in succession 26 shots in a 4-3 los

The Hurricanes offense did the stop building a a 2-0 lead 9:53 into the game.

"It was huge" Mark Recchi said of Gerber's play. "Marty did it all year for us. We know he was sick before, and he might not use it as an excuse. But we had no doubts that he was going to play the way he did tonight."

Bret Hedican had a goal and assist, and Eric Staal scored to reach out his point streak to 14 games. Recchi and Andrew Ladd also scored for Carolina.

Carolina took advantage of an injury-depleted Sabres team that's down three regular defensemen after Henrik Tallinder broke his left arm in succession Wednesday.

...