RALEIGH, N.C. – Ilya Kovalchuk, Pascal Dupuis and Marian Hossa scored to lead the Atlanta Thrashers past the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 for their first division title Friday night.

Johan Hedberg finished with 32 saves for the Thrashers, who clinched the Southeast Division when Tampa Bay lost at home, 7-2 to Florida later Friday. Eric Belanger added a late goal for Atlanta.

Anson Carter scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost five of six games – a stretch that cost them a chance to defend their Stanley Cup title.

The Hurricanes were eliminated from the playoff race after a loss at Tampa Bay earlier this week, making them just the third defending Cup champion to miss the postseason.

Still, coach Peter Laviolette said he wanted his team to focus on winning its final games instead of thinking about next season.

Panthers 7, Lightning 2

TAMPA, Fla. – Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist, and Ville Peltonen set up three goals to lead the Florida Panthers past the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-2 Friday night.

The loss before a sellout crowd, combined with Atlanta’s 4-1 victory at Carolina, halted Tampa Bay’s bid for its third Southeast Division championship in four seasons.

The Panthers chased Lightning goalie Johan Holmqvist with four goals in their first 12 shots.

Backup Marc Denis took over with 1:48 left in the first period.

Nathan Horton opened the scoring 3 minutes in with his career-high 31st goal. He has nine goals and three assists in eight games against Tampa Bay this season.

Noah Welch, David Booth and Jay Bouwmeester also scored in the first period, while Panthers goalie Ed Belfour faced only three shots at the other end.

Janis Sprukts and Jokinen extended the lead to 6-0 through two periods, and Kamil Kreps made it 7-0 early in the third. Jokinen has four goals and eight assists in eight games against the Lightning.

Jason Ward spoiled the shutout with 8:41 left on the clock, and teammate Nick Tarnasky scored 45 seconds later to make it 7-2.

Notes: Tampa Bay has lost its home finale six times in a row. … The Lightning had won three consecutive games since a 5-2 loss to the Panthers in Tampa on March 27. … Florida clinched the season series by winning the last three games. … The Panthers have not reached the postseason since 2000. … The Stanley Cup was on display.

AP-ES-04-06-07 2237EDT