NHL: Carolina 3, Florida 2 (OT)

SUNRISE, Fla., March 23 (UPI) -- Ray Whitney scored 1:36 into overtime Monday to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.

Joni Pitkanen passed from the right point to the left circle, where Whitney made the winning goal.

Tuomo Ruutu and Patrick Eaves each scored and Cam Ward made 37 saves for the Hurricanes, who have won four straight games.

Carolina has 87 points and is fifth in the NHL Eastern Conference, one ahead of Pittsburgh and three behind Philadelphia.

Cory Stillman had a goal and an assist and Jay Bouwmeester scored for the Panthers, who have lost six of their last seven games. Tomas Vokoun made 28 saves for Florida.