NHL: Columbus 3, Florida 1

SUNRISE, Fla., March 21 (UPI) -- Raffi Torres scored twice in a three-goal third period Saturday, leading the Columbus Blue Jackets' 3-1 win over the Florida Panthers.

Until their outburst, Columbus was on the verge of being Tomas Vokoun's seventh shutout victim this season, but Torres broke up the shutout bid with his ninth goal at 17:14 of the third. About 90 seconds later, he scored his 10th (unassisted) and at 19:41 Antoine Vermette (14) capped the scoring with an unassisted empty-netter.

Goaltender Steve Mason made 22 saves on 23 shots for the Blue Jackets, who have won three straight on the road to maintain slim hopes of qualifying for their first playoff berth.

Rostislav Olesz's third at 15:31 of the first after assists by Nick Tarnasky and Brett McLean produced Florida's lone score.

In all, Vokoun made 34 saves on 36 shots for the Panthers, who have lost four of five.

Their most recent playoff berth came in 2000.