RALEIGH -- Shawn Matthias scored with 3:19 left to help the Florida Panthers beat Carolina 3-1 on Tuesday night and spoil Kirk Muller's debut as the Hurricanes' coach.

Tomas Fleischmann also scored and Matthias added an empty-netter for the Southeast Division-leading Panthers. Jose Theodore made 26 saves.

Florida entered with a three-point lead on Washington and went more than 20 minutes between shots before scoring late to snap a two-game losing streak.

Jeff Skinner scored and Cam Ward stopped 18 shots -- and stuffed Jack Skille's penalty shot midway through the third period -- for last-place Carolina, which lost its fourth straight.

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