Ducks' shootout heroics negate Panthers comeback

Field Level Media|published: Tue 28th October, 22:07 2025

Oct 28, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) closes in during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Troy Terry and Mason McTavish scored in the shootout as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the host Florida Panthers 3-2 on Tuesday night in Sunrise.

Leo Carlsson scored short-handed and Cutter Gauthier added a goal on a 5-on-3 power play for the Ducks.

Lukas Dostal made 30 saves for the win.

Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart responded with goals for the Panthers, who trailed 2-0 with nine minutes left in regulation before rallying to force overtime.

Lundell also scored Florida's lone goal in the shootout.

Daniil Tarasov, Florida's backup goalie, made 15 saves in defeat. He is winless in three starts this season (0-2-1).

The Panthers, the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion, fell to 4-1-1 at home this season.

The Ducks, who have not made the playoffs since 2018, improved to 4-2-1 on the road.

Both teams played without several standouts.

The Ducks were without team captain Radko Gudas, a former Panthers defenseman, and forward Mikael Granlund, their top free-agent signing this past summer. Both players have lower-body injuries. In addition, Chris Kreider missed the game due to illness.

Florida was without forwards Brad Marchand (personal reasons) and Jonah Gadjovich (upper-body injury). Forwards Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov all remain on injured reserve.

The teams played a scoreless first period as the Panthers killed off two penalties.

Anaheim won the second period based on its special teams.

With 9:59 gone, Carlsson scored short-handed on a give-and-go pass from Terry to convert Anaheim's first shot on goal of the period.

Then, the Panthers got called for two penalties within 26 seconds -- Carter Verhaeghe for holding and Niko Mikkola for interference.

Anaheim took advantage with Gauthier's 5-on-3 goal with 12:27 expired. The goal was set up by Jackson LaCombe, who faked a shot and instead dished to Gauthier for his blast from the right circle.

Florida got on the board with 8:48 left in the third as Lundell scored from in close after taking a pass from Mackie Samoskevich.

The Panthers tied the score with 3:06 left as Reinhart tipped in a shot by Seth Jones.

--Field Level Media

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