RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Joni Pitkanen had a goal and an assist in his first game in three months, and the Carolina Hurricanes beat Florida 3-1 Wednesday night to snap the Panthers' five-game winning streak.
Eric Staal had his second straight two-goal game -- giving him a team-leading 23 -- and Cam Ward made 30 saves to help the Hurricanes win their season-best fourth straight and earn points for the 14th time in 17 home games.
Tomas Fleischmann scored for the Southeast Division-leading Panthers, who had been on their longest winning streak since a club-record seven straight in 2008. They were denied their first season sweep in Raleigh.
Jose Theodore stopped 36 shots for Florida. He entered 4-0 this season against the Hurricanes.
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