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Panthers look to climb above .500 mark

Dec 20, 2007 - 1:34 PM Carolina (18-14-3) at Florida (16-16-2) 7:30 pm EST

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) - The Florida Panthers have been close a few times this season, but have yet to surpass the .500 mark.

The Panthers try to change that when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

One of the weakest offensive teams in the Eastern Conference, Florida dropped its first three games of the year, but has pulled back to .500 on three separate occasions.

Florida has won four of its last six games due in large part to the play of top goaltender Tomas Vokoun, who owns a 2.52 goals-against average and has allowed two goals or less in five of his last six starts.

The Hurricanes, who rank second in the Eastern Conference with 110 goals, will likely put Vokoun to the test. Carolina has won its last two games, totaling nine goals in the process.

Craig Adams, the Hurricanes' checking-line center, will miss the contest after receiving a two-game suspension from the NHL for hitting Toronto's Alex Steen over the head with his stick during Tuesday's game.

Carolina has won three of four meetings between the teams this season, including three straight.