Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe scored goals, Sam Bennett added three assists and Anthony Stolarz made 26 stops as the Florida Panthers ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena.
After a scoreless first period that saw the Cats outshoot the Predators 14-4, Reinhart established a new career-high in goals (34) when he solved Juuse Saros from in close at 11:18 after Bennett won an offensive draw with Yakov Trenin off for tripping. The marker extended Reinhart’s point streak to ten games, matching a career-high.
Nashville defender Jeremy Lauzon quickly equalized at 12:16 with a wrist shot from the point that struck Anton Lundell and eluded Stolarz. Colton Scissons collected the lone assist, winning an offensive zone faceoff from Lundell back to Lauzon.
The clutch Verhaeghe was the one to strike the decisive blow 1:11 into the third, reeling in an outlet pass from Bennett before he cut across the slot to pull Saros from his angle before beating him blocker side for his 24th goal. A nice moment for Verhaeghe, who was playing in his 300th career game.
Stolarz would preserve the lead with a ridiculous glove save on veteran Gustav Nyquist with the Predators up a man.
Empty net goals by Brandon Mountor, from Matthew Tkachuk and Bennett, at 18:21 and Tkachuk, from Verhaeghe, at 19:40 made sure Florida halted its skid and allowed the Cats to open up some more breathing room on chasing Toronto, Detroit and Tampa Bay.
Apparently, all the Panthers needed to do was get out of Sunrise as they posted their sixth-straight win on the road. They will return back home looking to build on last night’s solid effort when they face the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday.
Claws & Fangs
- After a rough start versus Anaheim and getting tagged with the loss in relief, despite only giving up one goal, against Minnesota, Anthony Stolarz earned his seventh win of the season. Stolarz lowered his GAA to 2.12 and upped his save percentage to .917.
- Sam Bennett has been hot of late. Bennett has produced six points (2G/4A) in his past four outings. It was the fifth time in his career that he assisted on three goals in a game.
- In addition to collecting a goal and an assist late, Matthew Tkachuk finished with a game-high seven shots and two hits.
- Juuse Saros took the loss, but he earned First Star honors from the media for his sparkling 34-save performance.
- Top prospect Mackie Samoskevich registered three shots in his first NHL since action since October 24. The Panthers led 16-4 in shot attempts when the rookie was on the ice at 5-on-5.
- On The Forecheck has you covered for the other side of Florida’s win in Smashville.