The Panthers dropped a 3-2 decision in the Sunday matinee against the visiting Predators in the shootout.
Filip Forsberg netted the game winner after a scoreless overtime, deking backup goaltender Roberto Luongo in the fourth round and sending Nashville home with a win.
The first period would feature no scoring, as the Panthers outshot the Predators, 11-to-9. Neither team could solve the opposing goaltender, although the Preds featured backup goaltender Carter Hutton between the pipes. The Panthers also totaled 10 faceoff wins out of 16 tries.
The Panthers scored their two goals in the second, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. Tomas Fleischmann did the honors of breaking the scoreboard seal 8:37 into the frame, stealing a clearing attempt and sliding it past Hutton. It was Flash’s sixth goal of the season, his 53rd as a Panther, and the 121st of his career. Dave Bolland got his 11th assist on the play, basically by being in the right place at the right time. Aaron Ekblad added the insurance goal five minutes later, tipping the loose puck past a slightly out-of-position Hutton. It was Ekblad’s eighth goal, and his 30th point overall. Helpers went to Jimmy Hayes and Jussi Jokinen on the play.
The Predators scored twice in the third. Seth Jones halved the Panthers’ lead 4:44 into it, wiring a laser from the blue line past Luongo, who did not seem to track the biscuit until after it was past him. The goal came with the man advantage, after Derek MacKenzie was called for hooking Matt Cullen just under two minutes prior to the goal. Mike Ribeiro earned his 34th assist on the play, and is now in a tie for sixth most in the NHL this season. Nashville scored another power play marker with five minutes remaining, when ROY candidate Forsberg lit the lamp for the 18th time this season, unassisted.
So, Florida earns their 57th point on the season. It could have been 58 though. Check back later for Todd’s in-depth recap, in the morning with your coffee.