Olli Jokinen's third-period power-play goal sparked the Florida Panthers to a sixth consecutive win, a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

The loss ended a 13-game run by the Rangers in which they had scored at least a point. They had not lost in regulation since early February.

"Every game is so huge," Jokinen told said.

"You can't get too high, you can't get too low. We are climbing up in the standings and we want to keep do doing that."

With nine games remaining, the Panthers are three points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference and five points behind Southeast Division leader Carolina.

Florida's Rostislav Olesz and New York's Daniel Girardi traded first-period goals before the Rangers went ahead 2-1 in the second through Scott Gomez.

Jassen Cullimore tied the score midway through the period before Jokinen notched the winner 7:12 into the third.

Panthers goalkeeper Tomas Vokoun made 32 saves for the win.

"It was a great team effort," Panthers coach Jacques Martin said.

"Tomas made some big saves, Olli got a big goal and penalty-killing was well distributed. We got great effort from a lot of people."

* The Buffalo Sabres routed the Carolina Hurricanes 7-1 to end Carolina's five-game winning streak. Derek Roy had two goals and an assist for the Sabres, who snapped a four-game skid and moved within two points of the Philadelphia Flyers for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

The Hurricanes announced left wing Ray Whitney would undergo surgery on his left ankle and would miss two to three weeks.

* Brooks Laich scored twice as the Washington Capitals earned a 4-1 home win over the Atlanta Thrashers.

* The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3, ending a four-game skid.

Reuters