Apr 4, 2002 2 min read

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) – Stephen Weiss and Eric Beaudoin each scored their first NHL goals as the Florida Panthers defeated Pittsburgh 3-2 Wednesday night. Beaudoin broke a 2-2 tie with 3:20 remaining when he deflected a slap shot from Lance Pitlick past goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin.

Weiss, playing in his first professional game on a five-game tryout, tied the score during a power play earlier in the third period. Weiss took a pass from Olli Jokinen from the side boards to the left of the crease and hooked the puck past Aubin on the stick side.

Florida broke a three-game home losing streak. Goalie Jason Kidd, filling in for the injured Roberto Luongo, picked up his fourth win of the season.

Pittsburgh has lost four straight.

The Penguins broke a 1-1 tie 30 seconds into the third period. Randy Robitaille won a faceoff and pushed the puck to Alexei Kovalev, who passed to Michal Rozsival at the right point. Rozsival’s slap shot got past Kidd’s right shoulder.

Florida had taken a 1-0 lead 2:15 into the game. Robert Svehla shot from the right point into traffic in front of the crease and Pierre Dagenais tipped the puck into the net.

Pittsburgh tied the score late in the period. With three seconds left on a power play, Hans Jonsson took a wrist shot from the slot and the puck was deflected by a Panther between the legs of Kidd.

NOTES: Pittsburgh has given up the first goal in 29 of its 76 games this season. … The Penguins seem certain to miss the postseason for the first time since 1990. … Florida’s Ryan Jardine picked up his first NHL point with a first-period assist. … Weiss, the Panthers’ first choice in the 2001 draft, saw his first professional action on his 19th birthday.