RALEIGH, N.C. _ Ryan Callahan picked a good way to celebrate his birthday: a game-winning goal.
Callahan turned 34 on Thursday. Most people hope for a day off on their birthdays. Callahan was in the opposite position, happy to return to the lineup. He was even happy to give the Lightning a 6-3 win over Carolina on Thursday.
He redirected Victor Hedman's shot-pass past Curtis McElhinney midway through the third period to put Tampa Bay on top.
Steven Stamkos got things started early. He scored a power-play goal, 3:20 into the game. Hedman sent the puck over to Stamkos at the left faceoff dot and Stamkos scored on the wrist shot.
The Hurricanes took a 2-1 lead with two goals in a 91-second span midway through the period. Tyler Johnson tied it back up with 26 seconds left in the first. He scored on Ryan McDonagh's rebound. Nikita Kucherov started the play with a nice move in open ice to record his 120th point of the season.
Jordan Staal put Carolina back on top with the only goal of the second period, but the third was the Lightning's.
Anthony Cirelli tied it up 3:35 into the period. Jaccob Slavin broke up Stamkos' attempt and Cirelli picked up the puck at the post. Tuevo Terravainen's leg was in front of his stick, but Cirelli still swept it forward to get the goal.
Brayden Point added an insurance power-play goal after Callahan put the Lightning on top. McDonagh scored an empty-netter.
Louis Domingue made 25 saves on 28 shots for the win.
