Panthers explode again; net 8 in hammering of Predators

A.J. Greer scored twice and added an assist in the Florida Panthers' 8-3 convincing win over the host Nashville Predators on Monday night.

Sam Reinhart and Carter Vergaeghe each had a goal and two assists, Evan Rodrigues contributed a goal and an assist while Jesper Boqvist, Sam Bennett and defenseman Gustav Forsling also scored for the Panthers, who have won three of their last four. Defenseman Uvis Balinskis had two assists and Daniil Tarasov made 36 saves.

Filip Forsberg, Fedor Svechkov and defenseman Nick Blankenburg recorded the goals for the Predators, who lost for the eighth time in nine games (1-6-2). Juuse Saros stopped 11 shots before being replaced by Justus Annunen, who made seven saves.

Blankenburg's power-play goal pulled Nashville to within 5-3, 2:11 into the third period.

But Greer got his second goal 4:52 into the third, Reinhart scored at 8:33, extending his point streak to seven games (six goals, seven assists for 13 points) and Verhaeghe connected with 7:11 left.

Boqvist and Bennett scored 4:15 apart to break a 2-2 tie and give Florida a 4-2 lead after the first period.

Boqvist connected on a partial breakaway off left wing with 8:29 left in the first to give the Panthers a 3-2 lead.

That came 59 seconds after Svechkov had tied it for Nashville by converting a rebound for his first goal of the season.

Florida went up 4-2 when Svechkov's clearing attempt from in front of his own goal bounced off Bennett and into the net with 4:14 remaining in the opening period.

Forsling made it 5-2,1:24 into the second period when his harmless-looking wrist shot from the left point deflected in off Predators' defenseman Nick Perbix. It was Forsling's first goal and sent Saros to the showers in favor of Annunen.

Greer scored just 11 seconds into the game on a one-timer from the right circle and Rodrigues made it 2-0 at the 5:42 mark when he put in a rebound.

Forsberg put Nashville on the board at the 6:52 mark when he tipped in a pass out of the left corner by Luke Evangelista.

Florida has scored eight goals on two occasions in their last four outings.

--Field Level Media