Carolina Canes-Florida Panthers: The Wizard Wins One for the Canes in Overtime

It took an extra five minute period of overtime for the Hurricanes to get the win, but "The Wizard" Ray Whitney lasered one home to give the Hurricanes their fourth straight win as they beat the struggling Panthers 3-2 in Sunrise, Florida.

Florida got the scoring started in the first as Jay Bouwmeester scored on a goal assisted by former Cane's player Cory Stillman.

Carolina fired back on the power play as the Tuomo Ruutu scored as Eric Staal and the hot Anton Babchuk got the assists.

Carolina scored the only goal in the second period as Patrick Eaves scored a goal as Rod Brind'Amour and Sergei Samsonov got the assists. With the assist Sergei Samsonov scored his 500th career point in the NHL.

Late in the third period Cory Stillman scored on the five on three powerplay to give the Panthers the tied game and guarantee them a point for the Standings.

But it was then when Ray Whitney once again took the reigns for the Hurricanes and gave them the overtime victory and give them two points for the standings.

With the win the Hurricanes have moved from sixth to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hurricanes were at 8th at the All-Star break and have moved up to 5th passing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Hurricanes have hit a hot streak. Mostly since re-acquiring Erik Cole. Since then, the team seems to have found new meaning in the season. Since Erik Cole has returned the RBC Center has sold out every game.

The Canes are also a perfect 5-0 at home with Cole back! They have also won eight straight games at home. Raleigh is looking very friendly for the playoffs.

The Hurricanes have hit a huge hot streak in the month of March, and have a few big games coming up. They have a chance of moving up to fourth in the standings, but fifth is just as good right now as the Hurricanes are playing great on the road and as well as home.