Jets 7, Panthers 2: Evander Kane scored twice and captain Andrew Ladd added a goal and an assist as host Winnipeg pounded Florida.

Dustin Byfuglien also recorded a goal and an assist while fellow defenseman Grant Clitsome, Aaron Gagnon and Chris Thorburn each scored for the Jets, who remained two points behind Washington for the first place in the Southeast Division. Winnipeg (21-19-2) also pulled even with the New York Rangers (20-16-4) for eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Tomas Fleischmann and blue-liner T.J. Brennan each collected a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who remained in last place in the East. Jacob Markstrom allowed six goals on 23 shots before being replaced by Scott Clemmensen (11 saves) in the second period.

Each team scored twice over a span of less than three minutes early in the first period, with Fleischmann knotting it at 2-2 with a wrist shot into an open net while Ondrej Pavelec (25 saves) was tied up. Ladd put the Jets on top for good with 7:18 left in the session, streaking in behind the defense and redirecting Bryan Little’s pass from the doorstep.

Winnipeg put it away with another flurry in the second period. Clitsome snapped an 0-for-21 power-play drought with 9:55 remaining and Byfuglin beat Markstrom with a slap shot from the right point 28 seconds later. Kane made it a 6-2 advantage by converting a nice feed off the boards from Kyle Wellwood with 8:03 to go in the period.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Thorburn’s deflection with 8:08 left in the third capped the scoring. … Winnipeg has won three straight by a combined 15-4 after managing six goals during a five-game losing streak. … Panthers rookie C Drew Shore (wrist) returned to the lineup after a three-game absence and was minus-1 in 13:01.