Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2 (OT)
Kris Versteeg scored 3:08 into overtime as the Florida Panthers skated to a 3-2 home triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
Sean Bergenheim collected his third goal in two games before departing with a lower-body injury. Defenseman Jason Garrison added a power-play tally for Southeast Division-leading Florida, which improved to 6-0-2 in its last eight home games.
Jose Theodore turned aside 24 shots to record his fifth win in six starts versus the Hurricanes.
After Garrison leveled the contest 5:47 into the third period with a one-timer, the Panthers scratched for the victory in overtime. Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov's shot was denied by Cam Ward, but Versteeg was able to collect the loose puck and bury his team-leading 16th goal of the season.
Chad LaRose scored and defenseman Tim Gleason recorded his first goal in 98 games late in the first period for Carolina, which fell to 2-4-2 in its last eight games.
Ward dropped his fourth straight decision to the Panthers after stopping 22 shots.