Hurricanes send Staal to Rangers

Eric Staal gets to play with another brother, and the New York Rangers are loading up for the playoffs.

The Rangers acquired Carolina's captain and the face of the Hurricanes franchise on Sunday in exchange for center Aleksi Saarela, who is playing in his native Finland, and New York's second-round picks in the next two drafts.

Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton said the Hurricanes retained a portion of Staal's $8.25 million salary-cap hit, and New York has enough financial flexibility to add another "small-salary player if we wanted to."

The Rangers trail first-place Washington by 16 points in the Metropolitan Division standings.

The 31-year-old Staal had spent his entire 12-year career with the Hurricanes, who drafted him with the second overall pick in 2003.

He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, once the final year of his seven-year, $55.75 million contract expires, and Carolina GM Ron Francis said he and Staal could not agree on a new deal.

Staal leaves one younger brother, Jordan Staal, and will be united with another brother, Marc, who plays defense for the Rangers.

Blackhawks 3, Capitals 2 - Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Dennis Rasmussen scored as host Chicago beat NHL-leading Washington.

Corey Crawford made 28 saves for the Blackhawks. Marcus Johansson and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored for Washington.

Blues 5, Hurricanes 2 - David Backes and Kyle Brodziak scored in the second period to lead St. Louis past host Carolina.