NHL: Carolina 2, Florida 1 (SO)

SUNRISE, Fla., March 20 (UPI) -- Sergei Samsonov and Eric Staal scored in the shootout Thursday, giving the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 victory over Florida.

The Hurricanes won for the eighth time in nine games and hold a seven-point lead over Washington in the Southeast Division. Florida had won seven games in a row, equaling a franchise record.

Carolina's regulation goal came from Trevor Letowski, and Cam Ward made 36 saves in regulation. He also stopped the only two shots he saw in the shootout.

Samsonov scored in the first round of the shootout and Staal then clinched the victory by getting one past goaltender Tomas Vokoun.

Despite the loss, the point Florida earned inched the Panthers to within three of Philadelphia for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.