Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0
Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0: Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya combined to make 33 saves as host Florida blanked Carolina.
Nick Bjugstad scored the game’s only goal in the opening minute for the Panthers, who won for the second time in their last five home contests. Luongo stopped 11 shots before leaving with an upper-body injury, while Montoya made 22 saves in relief.
Cam Ward turned aside 27 shots for the Hurricanes, who lost for the sixth time in seven games. Carolina went 0-for-3 on the power play.
Luongo reached out with his glove to rob Carolina forward Victor Rask midway through the second period but was injured on the play. He remained in the game but headed to the locker room after the next stoppage.
Bjugstad capitalized on early pressure by Florida, scoring 21 seconds into the game on a shot from the edge of the crease. The Panthers outshot the Hurricanes 15-6 in the opening 20 minutes.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Panthers D Colby Robak was a healthy scratch for the third time in four games. … Carolina fell to 0-2-1 against the Atlantic Division. … Bjugstad is halfway to matching his 2013-14 rookie goal total of 16.