With a 2-1 win over the Predators, the Panthers have earned their first win in Nashville since 1999. Three games through their five-game road trip, they’ve already claimed a better than .500 points percentage and have now strung four consecutive victories together for the first time in two seasons. To recap, they took down the Islanders in the shootout (at home), the Red Wings in overtime on the road, and the Blues and Preds, both in regulation and also on the road.
Quinton Howden bagged his third marker of the season to open the scoring in the first period and Jonathan Huberdeau lit the lamp in the second for just his second goal. It turned out to be all that the Panthers needed as Roberto Luongo turned aside 32 shots in a strong winning effort to bring his record to 10-8-3 on the season. Only Predators defenseman Roman Josi could solve Bobby, with his fifth goal of the season.
With an assist, Willie Mitchell has strung together a three-game point-streak for the first time this season. The Panthers won despite getting completely outgunned through the final two periods by a 28-to-9 shots-on-goal count. This doesn’t even take into consideration that Florida blocked 21 shots on the game, led by Aaron Ekblad and Steven Kampfer, with four each. Florida only tested Pekka Rinne 16 times, but it was enough. Incredibly, the Preds out-Corsi’d the Panthers by a 63-to-24 mark.
Next up for the Panthers, the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night at 7PM in Nationwide Arena. Columbus is 10-9 since John Tortorella took over and have allowed the Panthers a win in only five-of-18 contests all-time, so it seems like a good time to “make it five.” Keep it here at LBC for everything you need to know about the Cats. On the Forecheck is your source for the “other” Cats, and The Cannon has news on the Jackets.