After going scoreless in Seattle, the Florida Panthers got blanked again, losing by the same 4-0 final to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on the night that goaltending legend for both teams, Roberto Luongo was into Vancouver’s Ring of Honor.
Thatcher Demko did Luongo proud by turning away all 36 shots to post his third shutout of the season as the Canucks extended its winning streak to four games.
Andrei Kuzmenko opened the scoring after speeding by Niko Mikkola, Dakota Joshua tallied twice, one an early Christmas present from Sergei Bobrovsky, and Brock Boeser collected his 22nd goal by putting in his own rebound after he initially hit the post on a second period 5-on-3 power play from J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.
Connor Garland and Teddy Blueger also picked up assists for Vancouver.
With Edmonton up next on Saturday, Bobrovksy departed after the second period, finishing with 13 saves on 17 shots.
Anthony Stolarz stopped the only shot he faced in relief as the Panthers peppered Demko in the third, out-shooting the Canucks 15-1, but to no avail.
It’s the first time the Cats have failed to score in consecutive games in just over 12 years dating back to October 18 and 20, 2011, when they got blanked by the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres.
Again a complete lack of finish, some seriously sloppy play in its own end, the Bobrovsky blunder… ugh! A night to forget in Vancouver.
Orcas & Minnows
- After getting swept by the Panthers last season, Vancouver did it to the Cats this year. The Canucks won the first matchup between the teams 5-3 in Sunrise on October 21.
- Big night for Vancouver’s Dakota Joshua. In addition to posting his first multi-goal game of 2023-24, he was credited with a game-high six hits, three shots and three blocks.
- Carter Verhaeghe finished with a game-high six shots on goal. Aleksander Barkov and Steven Lorentz each had four. Lorentz matched Joshua with six hits.
- Brock Boeser’s goal extended his point streak to nine games. Boeser has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) during his torrid run.
- Aaron Ekblad did not play in the third period after suffering a lower-body injury. He was covered by Uvis Balinskis as the Panthers went 11-7 last night with Anton Lundell and Jonah Gadjovich out sick.