Panthers top Predators, extend road mastery

Field Level Media|published: Mon 22nd January, 23:11 2024

Jan 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Denis Gurianov (15) has a shot blocked by Florida Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. credits: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Sam Bennett had three assists and the Florida Panthers scored a trio of third-period goals for a 4-1 road win over the Nashville Predators on Monday.

The victory ended the Panthers' four-game losing streak (0-2-2) and continued their great form on the road. Florida has won its past seven away games and is among the NHL's leaders with 32 road points this season.

Florida's Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist in his 300th NHL game, and he broke a 1-1 tie with his tally 1:11 into the third period. The forward took the puck at the blue line, then maneuvered his way into the slot before depositing a wrist shot.

Matthew Tkachuk also had a goal and an assist for the Panthers. Sam Reinhart and Brandon Montour scored Florida's other goals, with Montour and Tkachuk scoring empty-net tallies in the final two minutes.

Panthers goalie Anthony Stolarz stopped 27 of 28 shots, including a highlight-reel glove save on Gustav Nyquist in the third period.

It was the fifth time Bennett recorded a three-assist game during his 10 NHL seasons.

Jeremy Lauzon scored the only goal for the Predators, who are 1-3-0 in their last four games.

Juuse Saros stopped 34 of 36 Panthers shots. Saros had to be sharp from the opening whistle, as Florida outshot Nashville 14-4 in the first period.

Florida finally broke through on a power play 11:19 into the second period. Immediately after a faceoff in the Predators' zone, Reinhart grabbed the loose puck and scored his 34th goal.

The tally gave Reinhart a career-best total for a single season, and he has 14 points (11 goals, three assists) over a 10-game points streak.

Nashville responded 57 seconds later, when Lauzon's point shot deflected past a screened Stolarz for the equalizer.

That was all the offense Nashville could muster, despite three power-play chances in the third period. The Panthers were a perfect 5-for-5 in penalty kills on Monday after allowing five power-play tallies in a 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Friday.

—Field Level Media

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