BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Goaltender Martin Gerber put the Carolina Hurricanes back on track and the banged-up Buffalo Sabres on their heels in the Eastern Conference finals.

Gerber, making his first start in a month, stopped 22 shots to register his first postseason shutout and victory in a 4-0 win Friday night that helped the Hurricanes tie the series at 2¼-2.

Bret Hedican had a goal and assist, and Eric Staal scored to extend his points streak to 14 games. Mark Recchi and Andrew Ladd also scored for Carolina.

Gerber got the start after he replaced rookie Cam Ward, who was pulled after allowing four goals on 26 shots in a 4-3 loss in Game 3.

Gerber, who stopped all seven shots -- including three on breakaways -- he faced on Wednesday, has not allowed a goal in 87 minutes against Buffalo.