Tag: Florida Panthers

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Panthers are refreshed and prepared to bounce back against the Canadiens

Florida Panthers (NHL)

The Florida Panthers are like many other NHL teams. The Christmas break came at a perfect time for them.

The Panthers hope that the four days off gave their players enough time to reset as they prepare for their game on Saturday afternoon against the Montreal Canadiens in Sunrise, Fla.

“We need these four days bad,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after a 4-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. “Between guys with the flu and a bunch of guys that played not at 100 percent, I think most of them will get right back to good.”

The most important concern is the health of Matthew Tkachuk, who had to be helped off the ice late in the first period after taking a hard hit to his right knee.

He wasn’t on the ice to start the second period, but he returned a few minutes later at the start of a 5-on-3 power play and finished the game.

“It’s because he knows,” Maurice said. “Because he knew that he wasn’t the only guy in the training room at that point and we couldn’t afford to lose two or three guys at once.”

Maurice also mentioned that Tkachuk likely understood the game was being closely officiated and that teammates would be in the penalty box as well.

“Matthew’s got a great emotional feel for the game about what needs to happen next,” Maurice said. “He just knew that we needed him back. He wasn’t at 100 percent, obviously.”

Montreal Canadiens celebrates a goal

On the other hand, Montreal was trying to extend its longest winning streak of the season to four games but lost 5-4 to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday after giving up the last two goals in the third period.

“It’s hard to win in this league,” Montreal center Jake Evans said. “You’ve got to play three full periods.”

The Canadiens are also concerned about forward Patrik Laine, who didn’t return for the second period after taking a few big hits in the first, with the biggest one coming from defenseman Dante Fabbro at 14:08. Laine played only two more shifts after that hit.

Montreal will now face five straight road games after the Christmas break.

The Canadiens will play back-to-back afternoon games against the Panthers and Lightning before flying west to play the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. They will then travel to Chicago on Friday and Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche the next night.

The Canadiens are seven points behind the final wild-card spot in the West, so they need to collect points on this road trip.

“We’re trying to get back into the playoffs,” Evans said.

The Panthers, however, have four consecutive home games after the Christmas break, following a stretch where they played eight of their first 11 games this month on the road.

“The four days (off) will be great for this team,” Maurice said. “It was our third home game this month and still a little traveling here from the start of the season, and I thought it showed (against the Lightning). Not so much the will, just the ability to push through.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Buffalo Sabres Secure First Win of the Season with 5-2 Victory Over Florida Panthers

Buffalo Sabres Secure First Win of the Season with 5-2 Victory Over Florida Panthers
Buffalo Sabres Secure First Win of the Season with 5-2 Victory Over Florida Panthers

The Buffalo Sabres found redemption on Saturday night with a hard-fought 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers, marking their first win of the season. Jordan Greenway, speaking from the locker room after the game, reflected on the team’s resilience following a challenging 0-3 start. Despite their initial setbacks, including a frustrating home-opener loss to the Los Angeles Kings, the Sabres remained committed to their game plan. Greenway highlighted the team’s determination and the valuable lessons learned during their early struggles, emphasizing their focus on continual improvement.

Saturday’s game mirrored previous performances with early adversity. The Sabres fell behind in the first period after missing several strong chances, a recurring theme in their season’s opening games. However, Greenway broke through late in the period, scoring the team’s first opening-period goal of the season. This ignited a surge of offense as Tage Thompson quickly followed with a go-ahead goal, and second-period contributions from Henri Jokiharju and Mattias Samuelsson solidified their lead. Alex Tuch sealed the win with an empty-netter, while Devon Levi anchored the team with 23 saves.

The Sabres’ victory was built on a strong all-around performance. They dominated high-danger scoring chances, outpacing the Panthers 16-5. This echoed their effort against the Kings, where they had also controlled play but were stymied by bad luck and strong goaltending. This time, persistence paid off. Tage Thompson stressed the importance of staying true to their system, believing that consistent execution would yield results. His confidence reflected the team’s growing maturity and focus.

Buffalo Sabres Secure First Win of the Season with 5-2 Victory Over Florida Panthers
Buffalo Sabres Secure First Win of the Season with 5-2 Victory Over Florida Panthers

Greenway continued to shine in his role, contributing not only offensively but also with his physical presence and defensive reliability. Following his goal, Greenway set the tone with a crucial neutral-zone hit that preceded Thompson’s tally. His all-around effort earned praise from teammates, including Thompson, who noted Greenway’s ability to disrupt opponents and create opportunities for his line. Greenway’s play exemplified the team’s gritty and cohesive approach.

The Sabres’ lineup adjustments also played a role in the victory. Head coach Lindy Ruff opted for an 11-forward, seven-defenseman configuration, allowing for more flexible line management. Buffalo native Dennis Gilbert made his debut, while Peyton Krebs stepped into a top-line role, contributing an assist and showcasing his versatility. Zach Benson, recovering from injury, received limited ice time but remains a promising young talent. Ruff expressed satisfaction with the lineup’s performance and hinted at further development opportunities.

Off the ice, the Sabres celebrated a significant milestone with Rob Ray’s induction into the team’s Hall of Fame. A franchise stalwart with 889 games as a player and two decades as a broadcaster, Ray was honored during the game by fellow Hall of Famers Ryan Miller and Dominik Hasek. An emotional Ray expressed gratitude for his lifelong association with the Sabres, while Ruff praised his contributions to the team’s culture and community, both on and off the ice.

The victory was more than just two points for the Sabres; it was a testament to their perseverance and belief in their process. Lindy Ruff acknowledged the relief of securing the win and emphasized the importance of maintaining their focus and energy. With three days to rest and prepare, the Sabres are poised to build on this success as they head into their next challenge against Pittsburgh. This win signifies a turning point and a renewed sense of confidence for a team determined to make its mark this season.

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Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers continue their offensive surge, defeating the Wild

Florida Panthers (NHL)

Matthew Tkachuk scored two goals, and the Florida Panthers cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night in Saint Paul, Minn.

Aaron Ekblad had a goal and two assists for the Panthers, who won their second straight game to wrap up a 3-2 road trip. Mackie Samoskevich added a goal and an assist.

Marco Rossi scored the only goal for Minnesota, which lost for the fourth time in the past six games.

Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky saved 26 of 27 shots, improving his record to 15-6-1. Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury allowed six goals on 33 shots and fell to 6-2-1.

The Panthers opened the scoring less than four minutes into the game. Ekblad scored with a wrist shot through traffic, his second goal of the season.

Minnesota tied the game on a power play with 3:49 left in the first period. Rossi scored his 12th goal with a backhand shot from the front of the crease.

Minnesota Wild players celebrate after a goal

Florida regained the lead with 1:46 left in the first period when Samoskevich scored his sixth goal. He rushed into the offensive zone and took a wrist shot from the right circle.

Tkachuk scored two goals in the second period, extending the Panthers’ lead to 4-1.

His first goal came with 4:32 remaining in the second period. He knocked in a loose puck near the net and caused a scuffle with Wild defenders after making contact with Fleury in the crease.

Tkachuk’s second goal, his 13th of the season, came on a power play with 1:06 left in the period. It was his fourth multi-goal game of the season and third in December.

Niko Mikkola added another goal for Florida, making it 5-1 with 8:50 remaining in the third period. It was his fourth goal of the season and second in as many games.

Eetu Luostarinen completed the scoring with his fourth goal in the final minute.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos

Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos
Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos

The NHL game between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers on November 27 turned chaotic as officials ejected all 10 players involved in a third-period brawl. The fight, which erupted after Dmitry Kulikov of the Panthers slammed Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk into the boards, saw players from both teams rushing in to join the melee. Referee Garrett Rank issued 10-minute misconduct penalties to every skater on the ice, effectively removing them for the remainder of the game. The brawl epitomized a loss of control as players attempted to punch past officials trying to separate them.

Florida held a commanding lead of 4-0 when the brawl broke out and maintained their dominance to secure a 5-0 victory. However, the drama overshadowed the game itself, as tensions boiled over multiple times. Ottawa’s Zack MacEwen had already been ejected earlier in the third period, adding to the growing list of players sidelined for unsportsmanlike behavior. The game devolved into a spectacle of penalty minutes and short-handed play.

Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos
Senators-Panthers Brawl Leads to 10 Ejections, NHL Player Faces Suspension After Chaos

The intensity reached a personal level when brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, playing for opposing teams, were seen exchanging heated words. Their verbal sparring added another layer of drama to the game, particularly as their grandparents watched from the stands. Geraldine Tkachuk, their grandmother, appeared unimpressed, further emphasizing the surreal nature of the family dynamic amidst the chaos.

Brady Tkachuk defended the team’s emotional play, expressing pride in their passion and commitment to each other. His remarks highlighted the fine line between playing with intensity and losing composure. The Senators’ captain viewed the brawl as a testament to the team’s fighting spirit, even if the game’s outcome and conduct left much to be desired.

In total, the game saw 167 penalty minutes, a significant tally though far from the NHL record of 419 set in 2004. Florida Panthers’ coach Paul Maurice dismissed the penalties as “mild,” downplaying the severity of the altercations. The game ultimately reflected hockey’s volatile nature, where fierce competitiveness can sometimes lead to chaos, testing the patience and authority of officials.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Dustin Wolf earned a shutout as the Calgary Flames defeated the struggling Florida Panthers

Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers

Nazem Kadri scored for the third game in a row, and Dustin Wolf ended his three-game losing streak as the Calgary Flames won 3-0 against the struggling Florida Panthers on Saturday night.

The Panthers have now lost two games in a row, both without scoring.

Coleman and Mikael Backlund also scored for Calgary.

Backlund, who also had an assist, almost scored again, but the goal was ruled out after a video review showed he had used a slight kicking motion to put the puck in.

Wolf made 32 saves, recording his second shutout of the season. His record improved to 9-5-1, with one of his key saves coming with 15:05 left in the third period, stopping a breakaway from Sam Bennett with his right pad.

The Panthers decided to rest their starting goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky, and backup Spencer Knight made 24 saves, but his record dropped to 5-5-1.

Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad was unlucky, hitting the right post twice.

The Panthers were also missing their captain, center Aleksander Barkov, who was out due to illness.

Florida Panthers players in the 1st period

Calgary took the lead with 11:03 left in the first period when Kadri stole the puck from defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and scored against Knight after a great move.

The Flames doubled their lead to 2-0 with 55 seconds left in the second period. Matt Coronato passed the puck to Coleman, who scored from the left circle.

In the third period, Calgary made it 3-0 with 13:43 remaining. Backlund scored his first goal in 15 games, firing the puck past Knight’s glove from the left circle.

Florida’s lineup on Saturday featured three former Flames: Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk, and AJ Greer, who turned 27 on Saturday.

However, it was a better day for the three former Panthers now playing for Calgary: Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and Ryan Lomberg.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

The Canucks welcome the unpredictable Bruins to their home rink

Boston Bruins (NHL)

The Boston Bruins are hoping to recover from a tough start to their five-game Western Conference road trip with a Saturday night game against the Canucks in Vancouver.

The Bruins had a four-game win streak and a 7-2-0 record under interim head coach Joe Sacco, but that success feels far behind after two losses earlier this week. They were beaten 8-1 by Winnipeg and 5-1 by Seattle, with a total score of 13-2.

Penalties caused problems for the Bruins at the start of their Thursday game in Seattle. Despite having 34 shots compared to Seattle’s 21, the Bruins could only manage one goal, which came from captain Brad Marchand on a penalty shot in the second period.

Sacco wasn’t completely discouraged by the team’s offensive play, even though the Kraken scored three goals in the third period to make the game out of reach. Sacco said, “After the first six minutes of the game where we were short-handed (three times), I thought our 5-on-5 game started to come around.

We generated, we had some opportunities, we had some looks. It just didn’t go in the back of the net for us (Thursday).”

Vancouver Canucks (NHL)

In addition to the third-period collapse, which followed a similar pattern in their loss to Winnipeg, the Bruins lost center Elias Lindholm to an upper-body injury in the middle of the game. No update was given on his condition before the team had a day off from practice on Friday.

The Bruins are ready to move on as they continue their trip in Vancouver, followed by games in Calgary and Edmonton. Marchand knows that improving defensively will be key moving forward.

He said, “If you give up five goals, I guess that it’s a positive … to say we got a lot of shots and more opportunities (than Seattle), but they had a lot of Grade-A (chances) … and again, we can’t give up that many goals. It definitely doesn’t make me feel better about the game.”

Marchand is currently on a five-game point streak, with four goals and two assists.

Before starting this road trip with two losses, the Bruins had a 6-5-1 record away from home. They can return to a .500 road record with a win against the Canucks, who are 10-2-1 on the road but only 5-6-4 at home.

Vancouver is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games, recently stopping a small two-game losing streak (0-1-1) with a 4-0 victory over the Florida Panthers on Thursday. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 27 saves for his third shutout of the season, and coach Rick Tocchet was pleased with his team’s overall effort.

Tocchet said, “It was a game where everybody contributed. Good team identity. A lot of good efforts from a lot of different guys, a lot of different lines. I thought the defensemen were scrappy, and obviously ‘Lanks’ had a great game. So, it’s a start in the right direction for building that team identity.”

Florida Panthers (NHL)

Former Bruins players Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk, along with Brock Boeser (in his 500th NHL game) and defenseman Carson Soucy (scoring his first goal of the season), all found the net for the Canucks. DeBrusk has scored a league-leading seven of his 14 goals since December 1.

DeBrusk, who signed a seven-year contract with Vancouver in July after spending his first seven NHL seasons in Boston, scored the game-winner in his return to TD Garden on November 26. This goal helped set up Lankinen’s previous shutout before Thursday’s win.

Vancouver’s lineup was also strengthened by the return of alternate captain J.T. Miller, who had been away on personal leave, and defenseman Derek Forbort, who had been recovering from a lower-body injury. Miller, who had two assists in the game, brings much-needed leadership and balance to the team.

Defenseman Tyler Myers commented on Miller’s impact, saying, “(Miller) brings so much, so many different angles, what he does for our lineup, balancing it out, and what he does for the room with his leadership and his presence.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Flames aim to bounce back as they face defending champion Panthers

Florida Panthers players in the 1st period

The Florida Panthers will continue their five-game western road trip on Saturday as they face the Calgary Flames, the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Both teams are looking to recover from tough losses in their previous games. The Flames were beaten 8-3 at home by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, while the Panthers suffered a 4-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

After practice on Friday, Calgary coach Ryan Huska described the loss to the Lightning as “uncharacteristic” for his team, which has a 1-2-1 record in its last four games. He believes playing against the defending champions will help his team stay focused.

“I mean, those are the nights you want to play in,” Huska said. “You get them one time in our building. They’re a very good team. There’s a lot of guys on that team that know each other. So, it always makes for a fun night.”

Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Flames with 11 goals and 21 points. He comes into Saturday’s game on a six-game point streak (four goals, five assists), including a goal and an assist in the last two games.

Saturday’s game is the second in a five-game homestand for the Flames, which will take them into the holiday break. As of Friday, the Flames are one point behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Earlier on Friday, the Flames called up goalie Devin Cooley from their AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers, after Dan Vladar suffered a lower-body injury in Thursday’s game.

Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators

The Panthers saw their seven-game point streak (6-0-1) end on Thursday with the loss to the Canucks. Despite outshooting Vancouver 27-19, the Panthers gave up 19 turnovers, which contributed to their first shutout of the season.

Three of the Canucks’ goals came from fast-break opportunities, something Panthers coach Paul Maurice said they need to avoid.

“It’s very difficult to defend off a turnover because you’re in an attack position,” Maurice explained. “Then, when you do turn the puck over, it’s very difficult to get to a defensive position.”

The loss ended a four-game winning streak for Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (13-6-1, 2.87 goals-against average), who has only lost two consecutive starts once this season.

Florida, tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, is fifth in the league, averaging 3.53 goals per game. Their top three players—center Sam Reinhart (19 goals, 20 assists for 39 points), Matthew Tkachuk (30 points, 10 goals), and Aleksander Barkov (29 points, 20 assists)—all average more than a point per game. Barkov’s seven-game point streak ended in Thursday’s loss.

Tkachuk, who spent his first six seasons in Calgary, has a goal and three assists in four games against his former team.

The Flames will try to stay out of the penalty box against one of the best power-play teams in the league. Florida is tied with Carolina for the fourth-most power-play goals (26), while the Flames have allowed the most power-play goals (27), with the fourth-worst penalty kill rate in the league at 70.7%.

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Kevin Lankinen and the Vancouver Canucks snapped the Florida Panthers’ point streak with a win

Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers

Kevin Lankinen earned a shutout with 27 saves, and J.T. Miller, returning to the lineup, had two assists as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Florida Panthers 4-0 on Thursday.

Carson Soucy, Danton Heinen, Brock Boeser, and Jake DeBrusk scored for Vancouver, who won for only the fifth time in 15 home games this season (5-6-4).

The win ended the Panthers’ seven-game point streak (6-0-1).

Lankinen earned his 14th win and third shutout of the season in 21 starts. With Thatcher Demko just returning from a knee injury, Lankinen has stepped up as Vancouver’s main goalie in the first part of the season.

Teddy Blueger, Quinn Hughes, and rookie Max Sasson each had two assists. This was Sasson’s first multi-point game in his nine career NHL games.

Miller had missed the Canucks’ previous 10 games due to personal reasons. Defenseman Derek Forbort also returned to Vancouver’s lineup after a 17-game absence due to a knee injury.

Quinn Hughes
Quinn Hughes – Vancouver Canucks

Despite having a 27-19 shots advantage, the Panthers were shut out for the first time this season. Florida is tied for fourth in the NHL with 106 goals. Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 15 of 19 shots.

Soucy scored his first goal of the season to give the Canucks an early lead at 2:23 of the first period. Vancouver then added a late goal, 79 seconds before the intermission, as Heinen finished a pass from Sasson in front of the net.

Boeser marked his 500th NHL game by scoring 4:53 into the second period. His initial shot missed the target, but the puck deflected off the boards and the back of the net. The puck then dropped to Boeser at the side of the net, and he scored the unusual rebound goal.

DeBrusk increased the lead with a tip-in goal during a Canucks power play at 12:55 of the third period. DeBrusk has been in great form, with 11 goals in his last 10 games, six of which came on the power play.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Panthers look to continue their strong road play as they head to Vancouver

Florida Panthers (NHL)

The Florida Panthers are looking to extend their point streak to eight games when they face the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

Florida has a 6-0-1 record in its last seven games, winning the past three. This is the second seven-game point streak of the season for the Panthers, after they won seven games in a row from Oct. 24-Nov. 9.

On Tuesday, the Panthers began a five-game road trip with a 2-1 shootout win against the Seattle Kraken. Despite outshooting Seattle 33-18, Kraken goalie Joey Daccord made 32 saves to keep Florida’s offense from scoring more.

The Panthers typically rely on scoring many goals, but they found a way to win with a low score. This was Florida’s first win of the season when scoring two or fewer goals (1-7-1).

“I thought we played great,” Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky said. “We played strong offensively. We kept the puck. They defended well. In those kinds of games, it’s all about focus and concentration because every moment could be the biggest moment of the game.”

Bobrovsky had a relatively easy night, stopping 17 of 18 shots. He is expected to start again on Thursday.

The Panthers have a 9-4-1 record on the road this season, and they are tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the most road points (75) in the NHL since the start of the 2023-24 season.

In contrast, the Canucks have struggled at home with a 4-6-4 record this season. In their most recent home game, Jake DeBrusk scored the equalizer at 18:08 in the third period, but Vancouver lost 4-3 in overtime to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Vancouver Canucks (NHL)

The Canucks have a 1-1-2 record in their past four games.

Vancouver had 25 shots against St. Louis, and their average of 26.7 shots per game is one of the lowest in the league. Elias Pettersson pointed to his fluky power-play goal on Tuesday, which was tipped in by Blues defenseman Colton Parayko, as an example of how putting more pucks on net can lead to unexpected results.

“Stay with it, shoot the puck, recover, shoot the puck,” Pettersson said. “It sounds cliched, but that power-play goal shows it. … We’ve just got to play with that intensity. Shoot the puck, recover, and continue a shooting mentality.”

The hot streak of Jake DeBrusk continues, as he has scored 10 goals (and two assists) over his past nine games. DeBrusk leads Vancouver with 13 goals, while Quinn Hughes leads the team in points (32) and assists (25).

Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov is also in great form, with 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his current seven-game point streak.

In his first game since April, Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko stopped 21 of 25 shots on Tuesday. The Canucks will keep an eye on Demko’s recovery from a knee injury, and Kevin Lankinen might start against Florida if Demko isn’t ready to play back-to-back games.

The two teams met earlier this season in Sunrise, Florida, where the Canucks won 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 17.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Aleksander Barkov leads Panthers to shootout win over Kraken

Florida Panthers and Seattle Kraken

Aleksander Barkov scored once in regulation and again in a shootout to help the Florida Panthers win 2-1 against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night, starting their five-game road trip with a victory.

Barkov and Sam Reinhart both scored in the shootout for the Panthers, while Eeli Tolvanen and Oliver Bjorkstrand’s attempts for the Kraken were stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Bobrovsky made 17 saves in regulation and overtime as the defending Stanley Cup champions extended their points streak to seven games (6-0-1).

Chandler Stephenson scored for Seattle in regulation, and Joey Daccord stopped 32 of 33 shots. Daccord returned after missing Seattle’s 7-5 win over the New York Rangers on Sunday due to illness.

In the final minute of overtime, Seattle had two breakaways but couldn’t score. Shane Wright missed to the right on the first attempt, and Bjorkstrand hit the side of the net with 6.9 seconds left after Bobrovsky blocked the angle.

Seattle Kraken and New York Islanders

Seattle scored first at 15:39 of the first period when Yanni Gourde passed to Stephenson for a breakaway. Stephenson skated down the middle of the ice and beat Bobrovsky with a wrist shot to the glove side. It was just Stephenson’s third goal of the season. Jared McCann recorded his 100th assist with the Kraken on the play.

Late in the second period, Gourde had another breakaway but was stopped by Nate Schmidt, who lifted his stick from behind. The Seattle bench asked for a slashing penalty, but none was called, and Gourde played limited minutes for the rest of the game due to a lower-body injury.

Florida quickly took advantage and tied the game when Barkov scored on a one-timer from just inside the right faceoff circle at 18:59. Reinhart set him up with a cross-ice pass, and Barkov’s shot sailed over Daccord’s shoulder as the goalie tried to scramble across the crease.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Matthew Tkachuk and the Panthers bring their strong form into Seattle

Matthew Tkachuk (NHL)

Matthew Tkachuk has a simple explanation for his six-game point streak, during which he has scored five goals and added 10 assists.

“Sometimes the puck finds you,” Tkachuk said.

Lately, Tkachuk has made it seem easy, as he has helped the Florida Panthers, the defending Stanley Cup champions, earn points in six straight games (5-0-1). They will face the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.

Tkachuk has registered multiple points in each of his last four games.

“His hands are just on fire right now, he’s done some great things with the puck,” said Panthers coach Paul Maurice. “There are other parts of his game that drive us. He has been on a pretty good heater but has been really good his past six.”

Tkachuk scored twice, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky made 28 saves in Florida’s 3-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. This win marked Maurice’s 111th with the Panthers, making him the franchise leader for coaching victories.

“It was pretty much a complete game for us,” said captain Aleksander Barkov, who scored Florida’s other goal. “I think we did the right things. … Whenever they got their chances, (Bobrovsky) was there for us and kept us in the game. It was a good game by us.”

Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks

Tuesday’s game is the start of a five-game road trip for the Panthers, who currently lead the Atlantic Division. They will also play in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Minnesota.

The Kraken return home after going 3-1-0 on a road trip to Carolina, New Jersey, and New York (against both the Islanders and Rangers).

Seattle defeated the Rangers 7-5 on Sunday, with Oliver Bjorkstrand scoring two goals and adding two assists.

Eeli Tolvanen had a goal and two assists, and Shane Wright contributed one goal and one assist. Chandler Stephenson and Matty Beniers each added two assists. Goalie Philipp Grubauer made 32 saves, securing his first win in his last seven starts dating back to October.

“You’re always trying to find ways to get confidence,” Bjorkstrand said. “We’re playing some good teams, so winning three of four is a pretty good road trip. We definitely feel good about ourselves, but we can’t be too satisfied. We still have a lot of work to do. … We want to go home and keep going in that direction.”

The Kraken’s third line of Bjorkstrand, Wright, and Tolvanen combined for nine points.

“I think we’ve been able to gain some chemistry,” Bjorkstrand said. “We’ve done that for some games now, so it’s just building on it. I think we’re getting really comfortable with where the pucks are going and where other guys are going to be. … A lot of good stuff.”

The Kraken scored three goals in a 5:18 span late in the second period to take a 4-3 lead.

“When we’re at our best, we’re playing fast, physical, and simple,” Kraken forward Brandon Tanev said. “Everyone’s on the same page. Those things all add up in a 60-minute game.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Following a seven-goal outburst, the Panthers look to take advantage of the Sharks

Florida Panthers (NHL)

The Florida Panthers will look to secure back-to-back victories when they play the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

Florida lost a 3-0 lead in Philadelphia on Thursday but managed to recover and win 7-5 against the Flyers. Sam Reinhart scored a goal and added two assists, while Matthew Tkachuk contributed a goal and four assists for the Panthers, who have now won four of their last five games (4-0-1).

Aleksander Barkov, Evan Rodrigues, and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist in the victory.

Gustav Forsling and Niko Mikkola also scored for Florida, which went 4-for-5 on the power play.

“It’s not a recipe for success down the road,” Tkachuk said. “But I guess we found a way to get this one. It was crazy. Special teams were good for us to get us a few goals. And I guess we needed them tonight.”

Reinhart is tied for the league lead with 19 goals entering Friday and has a team-high 37 points in 27 games this season.

On Friday, the Panthers recalled forward Mackie Samoskevich from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and sent goaltender Chris Driedger to the AHL team. These moves suggest that goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has returned to the team after missing the last two games for the birth of his child.

Bobrovsky has a record of 11-5-1, with a .890 save percentage and a 3.04 goals-against average in 17 starts this season. In 20 career games against the Sharks, he is 13-5-2 with a .933 save percentage and a 2.29 GAA.

Saturday will be the first of two meetings this season between the Sharks and Panthers. Florida won both games last season, 3-1 at home on Oct. 24 and 5-3 in San Jose on Nov. 14.

Tampa Bay Lightning and San Jose Sharks

San Jose is on a six-game road trip and is looking to avoid a second consecutive loss. The Sharks were crushed 8-1 by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, ending their three-game winning streak.

Alexander Wennberg scored the only goal for San Jose, and Vitek Vanecek allowed five goals on Tampa’s first 12 shots before being replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood.

“We weren’t ready from the start,” said San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky. “Didn’t skate, didn’t compete … didn’t do anything well. Disappointing. I thought we had a good morning skate, good energy, good meetings.

“… I thought our guys were excited for the challenge tonight, but we got a reality check of when you don’t skate, and you don’t compete against really good hockey or any team in the National Hockey League, this is what’s going to happen.”

Rookie forward Macklin Celebrini, the 2024 first overall pick, saw his five-game point streak come to an end in the loss.

Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund are tied for the team lead with 10 goals each. Granlund also has a team-high 29 points in 27 games this season.

Blackwood is 6-8-3 with a .907 save percentage and a 3.00 GAA in 18 games this season. He has a 3-3-0 record in six career games against the Panthers, with a .913 save percentage and a 3.34 GAA.

The Sharks and Panthers will play their final game of the season series on Jan. 25 in San Jose.