Blackhawks 3, Panthers 2 (SO): Captain Jonathan Toews scored in regulation and converted in the shootout as Chicago defeated visiting Florida despite losing All-Star Patrick Kane to an upper-body injury early in the contest.

Kris Versteeg tallied in the second period, Patrick Sharp also scored in the shootout and Scott Darling turned aside 34 shots for the Blackhawks in his first start since Dec. 13. Kane, who came in tied for the league lead in points with 64, fell awkwardly into the boards after being cross-checked by Florida defenseman Alex Petrovic 7:49 into the contest, an injury which appears will keep him out of the lineup for some time.

Jussi Jokinen and Vincent Trocheck scored in the third period to erase a two-goal deficit for the Panthers, who went 0-for-2 in the shootout but gained a valuable point to move within two of Boston for the second wild-card in the Eastern Conference. Roberto Luongo made 36 saves for Florida, which finished its road trip 2-2-1 and hosts Chicago on Thursday.

Petrovic received a penalty on the Kane hit and the Blackhawks took advantage as Toews knocked in a rebound right of the net at 9:25. Sharp’s shot in the slot off a pass from Brad Richards deflected to the left circle, where Versteeg one-time it past Luongo with 5:32 left in the middle session.

Jokinen cut the deficit in half 12:23 into the third period with his second goal in five games and the Panthers were not done. Trocheck threw the puck in front of the net and it caromed in off Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith’s skate with 3:29 left in regulation to even the score.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Florida traded LW Sean Bergenheim and a 2016 seventh-round draft pick to Minnesota for a 2016 third-round selection before the game. … Sharp notched his 500th point with the Blackhawks, assisting on Versteeg’s goal. … Chicago F Bryan Bickell was called for knocking a loose stick into the play to set up a penalty shot for C Derek MacKenzie 7:10 into the second period, but he misfired.