Tomas Kopecky, Tomas Fleischmann, Kris Versteeg and Marco Sturm had goals for the Panthers, who at one point led 3-0, only to miss a chance to clinch the division and secure their first playoff berth since 2000. Florida need only one point in their final two games to clinch the division.
HURRICANES 2, SENATORS 1
In Ottawa, Brandon Sutter and Tuomo Ruutu scored in the second period to give Carolina victory over Ottawa.
Cam Ward made 38 saves for the Hurricanes, but his shutout bid was foiled when Jason Spezza scored with 13 seconds left.
The loss means the playoff-bound Senators can finish no higher than seventh in the East. Ottawa still need one point in their final two games to clinch seventh and set up a first-round playoff meeting with Boston.
In other NHL games, it was:
‧ Sabres 6, Maple Leafs 5, OT
‧ Coyotes 2, Blue Jackets 0
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