Panthers 6, Bruins 2
PANTHERS 6, BRUINS 2: Stephen Weiss and Mikael Samuelsson had a goal and an assist apiece to lead host Florida to its third straight win.
The Panthers took advantage of a shaky Tim Thomas to move within two points of the Bruins for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Thomas allowed six goals on 28 shots and fell to 2-5-0 over his last eight games.
Florida jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Samuelsson and Marcel Goc before Joe Corvo answered for Boston to cut the lead in half early in the second period.
Weiss and John Madden tallied for the Panthers later in the frame to build a 4-1 advantage. Tomas Kopecky and Wojtek Wolski padded the lead in the third and Brian Campbell collected three assists for the Panthers, who increased their lead to three points over the Washington Capitals in the Southeast Division.
The Bruins have lost four straight and hold a slim one-point lead over the Ottawa Senators in the Northeast Division.
Jose Theodore made 24 saves for his 21st victory.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Boston has trailed at least 2-0 in its last four contests. … Panthers forward Kris Versteeg missed his ninth consecutive game with a lower-body injury. … The Bruins had a five-game winning streak in Florida snapped.