Bjugstad Scores Early, Panthers Top Hurricanes 1-0
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SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Nick Bjugstad scored 21 seconds into the game, and the Florida Panthers beat the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 on Wednesday night despite an injury to Roberto Luongo.
The veteran goalie made 11 saves before leaving with 9:38 left in the second period with an upper-body injury. Luongo was replaced by Al Montoya, who stopped 22 shots in his sixth appearance of the season.
The Panthers won for the first time in three games and posted their first shutout since a 1-0 win at Buffalo on Oct. 17.
The Hurricanes lost for the sixth time in seven games and have an NHL-worst 2-9-2 road record.
Cam Ward made 27 saves for Carolina.
Bjugstad's goal was the quickest for the Panthers this season, and they made it stand up.
Jonathan Huberdeau passed the puck from behind the net out to Brandon Pirri in the right circle. Pirri then passed across to Bjugstad to the left of the crease, and he pushed the puck past Ward.
Bjugstad also had the previous fastest goal for Florida this season, when he scored 24 seconds into a game at San Jose on Nov. 20.
Bjugstad has points in five of his past six games, totaling six goals and three assists.
NOTES: Panthers wing Scottie Upshall missed the game with a lower-body injury sustained against Minnesota on Monday. ... Hurricanes D Michal Jordan, recalled from Charlotte of the AHL on Tuesday, played his first game of the season. ... The Hurricanes, in the midst of a five-game road trip, will celebrate Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh, where they play the Penguins on Friday.
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