With the kind of jump and offensive intensity the Carolina Hurricanes had Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, they could have had a 2-0 lead after the first period.
That they didn’t, that the Canes had to patiently grind out a 3-1 victory that wasn’t sealed until a late empty-net goal by Justin Williams, may have had more value to a team still trying to mold an identity.
Winless the past four games, the Canes (5-5-3) found themselves in a 1-1 game entering the third period at PNC Arena. The Panthers had an early power play in the third and appeared to finding more energy with each shift.