RALEIGH, N.C. --- The Carolina Hurricanes looked ready to play from the moment the puck dropped. Throw in a couple of early turnovers from the Florida Panthers, and the Hurricanes had everything they needed for an easy win against a division rival.
Tom Kostopoulos and Jussi Jokinen scored first-period goals off those turnovers in Florida's end to help the Hurricanes beat the Panthers 7-2 on Friday night, earning their second consecutive win after an 0-2 start.
Tuomo Ruutu also scored in the opening period for the Hurricanes, who led 3-0 after the first and cruised the rest of the way. Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen, Rod Brind'Amour and Jay Harrison also scored for Carolina, while Cam Ward finished with 25 saves -- including on a pair of breakaway chances for the Panthers.
Carolina's offense had managed just three regulation goals through its first three games. This time, Jokinen had three points while three others tallied multipoint games. Six of Carolina's seven goals came from players who hadn't found the back of the net yet this season.
Shawn Matthias and Michael Frolik scored for Florida.
PLAYER DETAILS ABUSE: Former NHL star Theo Fleury said he was sexually abused by a junior hockey coach.
Fleury's account is detailed in an autobiography called Playing With Fire . The book is to be released next week. Excerpts appeared online.
The former Calgary forward accuses Graham James of abuse. James was jailed in 1997 after admitting to sexually abusing two players on his junior hockey team -- one being ex-NHL player Sheldon Kennedy. James could not be reached for comment.
Fleury's NHL career was derailed by drugs and alcohol. He tried to come back at age 41 with the Flames in training camp this fall but was cut.
WINGS LOSE FORWARD: Detroit forward Johan Franzen is out for at least four months with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The team said Franzen was injured in Thursday night's 3-2 victory over Chicago.
Franzen scored the game-winning goal in the second period of Detroit's home opener.
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