[GALLERY] Hurricanes Go Cold in Return to Home Ice

RALEIGH, N.C. – A 3-0 deficit was too big to overcome as the Carolina Hurricanes were defeated at home by the Florida Panthers 4-2 on Saturday.

With the regulation loss, the Hurricanes fall to a record of 22-12-2 on the season.

Panthers back-up goalie Chris Dreidger saved a season-high 42 shots from the home team who recently returned back from a tough away trip in which they went a dominant 5-0-1 on the six-game road trip.

Defenseman Dougie Hamilton recorded his 200th career NHL assist Saturday in his 541st career game. He has now posted 35 points (12g, 23a) so far this season, marking the most points by a defenseman through the first 36 games of a season in team history (since relocation).

Nino Niederreiter tallied two points (1g, 1a) Saturday, marking his 52nd career multi-point game and 13th with the Hurricanes.

Teuvo Teravainen posted his team-leading 29th assist of the season. He extended his assist streak to four games (12/14-12/21: 5a), and he has registered 10 assists in his last seven games (12/7-12/21).

Erik Haula returned to the lineup Saturday after missing 19 of Carolina’s last 21 games due to injury. Despite only playing in 16 games so far this season, he ranks fourth on the team in goals and tied for third in power-play goals (3).

Carolina went 1-for-3 on the power play tonight and is now 27-for-113 (23.9%) on the man-advantage this season. The Hurricanes went 1-for-3 on the penalty kill and are now 110-for-130 (84.6%) on the kill this season. Florida went 2-for-3 on the power play tonight and is now 26-for-112 (23.2%) on the man-advantage this season. The Panthers went 2-for-3 on the penalty kill and are now 72-for-88 (81.8%) on the kill this season.

SHOTS BY PERIOD

TEAMS 1st 2nd 3rd OT Total

Florida 9 8 5 – 22

Carolina 13 11 20 – 44

Check out pictures from Saturday night’s contest below. Images by Lawrence Davis III.