SUNRISE, Fla., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Olli Jokinen posted his third career two-goal game and Roberto Luongo made 31 saves Wednesday night to lead the Florida Panthers to a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in the opener of a home-and-home series.
Entering the contest winless in their last eight meetings with Carolina, the Panthers spotted the Hurricanes an early lead before scoring three consecutive goals to take control.
Jokinen drew Florida even midway through the first period with his 13th goal of the season before Viktor Kozlov scored 29 seconds into the second to put the Panthers ahead.
Selected third overall by Los Angeles in the 1997 draft, Jokinen, one day shy of his 24th birthday, Florida a two-goal cushion less than four minutes later with a power-play tally.
The goal was Jokinen's 29th point of the season, tying his career high set last season.
Luongo allowed a power play goal by Ron Francis 2:10 into the contest but was strong afterward, stopping 14 shots in the first period and all 12 he faced in the third.
Erik Cole also scored for Carolina, which had its three-game winning streak stopped.
