Leighton earns 1st regular-season win in almost 6 years

Michael Leighton is back in the win column.

For the first time since Dec. 30, 2010 against the Los Angeles Kings, the veteran goalie recorded a regular-season NHL win.

The victory came Sunday in Leighton's first appearance this season since being recalled from the AHL by the Carolina Hurricanes.

The 35-year-old found himself in an early 2-0 hole to the Florida Panthers, but settled in and made 31 saves on 33 shots to secure two points for the Hurricanes.

Prior to Sunday, Leighton had played approximately 100 regular-season minutes since that last win over the Kings.

Leighton's most successful run in the NHL was with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2009-10, wherein he helped bring the club to within two wins of a Stanley Cup win.