The Florida Panthers sputtered their way to a loss Thursday night in Raleigh against the Carolina Hurriances, falling 2-1 late in overtime. The return of several of Florida’s playmakers resulted in a step backward for Florida, playing a sloppy and ineffective brand of hockey.

The Panthers were lucky to be in the game in overtime at all. Carolina dominated the first 2 periods of the game, outshooting the Panthers 28-13 but only scoring 1 goal 15minutes into the 1st period on a power play. The 3rd period was a more even affair as Carolina played to protect their 1-0 lead. Cory Stillman, fresh in the lineup, would ruin Carolina’s plans (for the time being) by tying the game 1-1 2:30 into the 3rd period.

The game appeared headed for a shootout as the overtime period was a tight affair with 3 combined shots on goal. However, Carolina’s 2nd shot on goal found the back of the net with 43 seconds to go, clinching victory for the Hurricanes.

Tomas Vokoun was good in goal for the Panthers, but as was typical early in the year, the Panthers had little offense to provide in support of their goaltender. Vokoun saved 35 of 37 shots and did everything to keep his team in the game. Last nights loss, I’m sorry to say, was somewhat expected. With all these players returning to the lineup the flow and chemistry of the Panthers was bound to be thrown off. Not to mention the fact the team did better without these guys as of late than they did with them earlier in the season.

Time will tell if the Panthers can get their chemistry back. The team now returns home to open a 3 game homestand, starting with the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.