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Panthers gun for fifth straight win

Mar 12, 2008 - 1:24 PM NY Islanders (32-32-7) at Florida (32-31-8) 7:30 pm EDT

SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) - The Florida Panthers go for a season-high fifth consecutive victory on Wednesday against the fading New York Islanders.

The Panthers, who are one point ahead of the Islanders, trail eighth-place Philadelphia by seven points.

A victory will give Florida a season high for consecutive victories and a their fourth win in as many meeting with the Islanders this season.

The Panthers won four in a row from November 19-28 before dropping a 4-3 decision to Boston on November 29.

The Panthers, who have not made the playoffs since the 1999-2000 season, continue to play without center Chad Kilger, who has been suspended by the team for not returning in a timely fashion after being granted a leave of absence.

"We lose, we know we could be out and not have any chance," Panthers' right wing Nathan Horton said. "So we just need to keep winning. That's all we can control is winning games."

The Islanders have lost five of their last six games and three straight, including an 8-4 loss on Tuesday to at Tampa Bay, who are last in the Eastern Conference.