RALEIGH, N.C. -- It just so happened that the Carolina Hurricanes worked on four-on-three situations during their morning skate Tuesday.

They applied those lessons hours later when enter Jeff Skinner scored on a power play with 1:58 remaining in overtime in a 3-2 victory against Pittsburgh Penguins at PNC Arena.

"Good foresight, I guess, by the staff," Skinner said.

Skinner camped out near the right side of the net and took a pass from center Elias Lindholm for the winner, his team-leading 16th goal.

The Hurricanes knew the importance of converting once they went on the overtime power play.

"It's a big momentum (juncture) in the game," Skinner said. "You'd like to get some good looks. You have to stick with it. Getting opportunities like that are big."

Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin was in the penalty box for hooking center Jordan Staal when the winning goal was scored.

"It's tough," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "You don't want to take a penalty at all, but especially when it's that far from the net."

Center Eric Staal and right winger Kris Versteeg scored earlier for the Hurricanes (19-18-7), who matched their season-high mark with a three-game winning streak.

"We were good tonight," Eric Staal said. "It was a good game both ways."

Defenseman Kris Letang and left winger Chris Kunitz had goals for Pittsburgh (20-16-6).

Goalie Cam Ward made 23 saves for Carolina, which is 6-7 in overtime games.

"You're playing a great team in a tight game, a one-goal game," Skinner said. "You've got to be able to win those."

Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 18 shots.

Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby nearly tied the game early in the third period. He was prone on the ice when he slid a shot that struck the post.

Kunitz then provided the equalizer with 13:58 left by taking a pass from Crosby, who had retrieved the puck behind the net.

"We had some good shifts there, especially in the third," Crosby said. "It would have been nice to get two points, but I thought we had a good third."

Carolina produced eight third-period shots among its 18 shots in regulation. Pittsburgh had 25 shots, none in overtime.

"Both teams played well, and it's fitting that both teams got points," Carolina coach Bill Peters said. "I thought we built the game as it went on."

The Penguins were bemoaning an inefficient start during which they failed to produce on two power plays in the opening seven minutes.

"I don't think it was a great period as far as momentum is concerned," Sullivan said. "We would have liked to come out with more energy and taken control right off the bat."

The Hurricanes led 2-1 entering the third period, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes of the second period.

Taking a turnover from behind the net, the Hurricanes converted quickly when Versteeg delivered a slick pass to Eric Staal, who was waiting in front of the crease.

The second goal was much more fortunate. Versteeg launched a shot that was deflected wide of the goal, but it ricocheted off the boards and fluttered onto Fleury's back and dropped into the net.

That gave Versteeg goals in consecutive games for the first time this season, which is his first with the Hurricanes.

Pittsburgh struck back with 9:31 to go in the second period. Letang's shot zipped past Ward's attempted glove save.

Letang has four of his five goals this season in the past two weeks.

As part of a scoreless first period, Penguins right winger Phil Kessel unloaded a shot so hard that it jarred Ward's helmet off. That resulted in a chuckle from Ward during the ensuing stoppage.

NOTES: The Hurricanes entered the game with an NHL-leading 379 takeaways. ... Penguins C Matt Cullen played for Carolina's Stanley Cup champion team 10 year ago. ... Penguins D Adam Clendening rejoined the team after a conditioning stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. He was a scratch from Tuesday night's lineup. ... Earlier in the day, Hurricanes assistant coach Rod Brind'Amour, a former team captain, was selected for induction into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. ... Pittsburgh wraps up a four-game road stretch with Friday night's game at Tampa Bay. ... The Hurricanes go to St. Louis on Thursday night.