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(Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers have a chance to further their push for the playoffs this evening, when they visit the struggling Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC Center.

Having won two straight and six of their last seven games, the Panthers have managed to get back in the Eastern Conference postseason race. With 71 points, Florida comes in Tuesday's action just five behind the New York Rangers and Carolina for the eighth and final playoff berth in the East.

Florida's most recent triumph came Saturday against the visiting Atlanta Thrashers. Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist to lift the resurgent Panthers to the 3-2 victory at the BankAtlantic Center.

Jay Bouwmeester and Nathan Horton also had goals for the Panthers. Ed Belfour stopped 30 shots for Florida, which beat the Thrashers for the first time in seven attempts this season.

The Panthers are just 9-17-9 as the visiting club this season, but have taken two of their last three road tests.

The Hurricanes dropped a big test Sunday in the Big Apple, as they were handed a shootout loss by the New York Rangers. Jaromir Jagr's goal in the third round was the game-winner in the 2-1 decision at Madison Square Garden.

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