Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2
SUNRISE, Fla. - The Florida Panthers completed the best regular season in franchise history, preparing for next week's playoffs with a 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night at the BB&T Center.
Florida (47-26-9), which set franchise records for wins and points (103), won the Atlantic Division title and will play host to the New York Rangers or New York Islanders in its playoff opener on Thursday.
Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo earned his 35th win, tying the franchise record he set in 2005-2006. Luongo is one win from tying Jacques Plante (437) for sixth place on the NHL career win list.
Florida, which has won six straight games against Carolina, received goals from Teddy Purcell, Jussi Jokinen, Aaron Ekblad, Jonathan Huberdeau and an empty-netter from Reilly Smith. Purcell also added an assist.
Eddie Lack, Carolina's backup goalie, took the loss in the season finale for the Hurricanes (35-31-16), who have missed the playoffs seven straight seasons.
On a positive note, Carolina's 86 points are the most for the franchise since 2011. Carolina went 4-3-2 in its past nine games.
After falling behind 4-0, the Hurricanes got as close as 4-2 on Jordan Staal's power-play goal with 15:22 left in the third period. But Luongo and the Panthers shut down Carolina from there.
Florida has outscored Carolina 20-4 in the past six games in this series.
NOTES: The Panthers, who began play in 1993-94, will be making just their fifth postseason appearance and their first in 2012. They haven't won a playoff series since 1996. ... Panthers D Steven Kampfer, who left Thursday's loss at Ottawa with a sprained ankle, sat out Saturday and was replaced by rookie D Mike Matheson, who was brought up from the AHL on emergency recall. ... Panthers D Erik Gudbranson hopes to return in time for the playoffs opener next week. ... The Hurricanes have a lease in Raleigh until 2024, but there were numerous Canada-based reports this week that Carolina might move the team to Quebec City. ... The Hurricanes are for sale, but owner Peter Karmanos Jr. has said the team will not abandon Carolina. However, the Hurricanes are last in the NHL in home attendance (12,203), which is just 65 percent of capacity.