Panthers Comeback Falls Short, Lose to Lightning 5-3

SUNRISE — Florida conceded the first four goals on Saturday night before pushing a comeback, making it a one goal game late in the third.

 

The rally fell short after Nikita Kucherov put away his 40th goal of the season on an empty net — giving the Lightning the two-points in a 5-3 win over the Panthers. 

 

Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy had 47 saves in the game — 35 of those coming in the final  40 minutes — in his 24th win of the season. 

 

“Obviously [there was] very good goaltending on the other side,” Sam Reinhart said. “We had some good looks, gotta give him credit.”

 

Here’s Saturday’s takeaways.

 

Panthers face another early, multi-goal hole

Florida’s past three games have been uncharacteristic of them when compared to the entirety of the season. 


The Panthers trailed 3-0 in three consecutive games: Dallas, Carolina and now Tampa going up  early on them. 

 

They were able to overcome the large deficit Tuesday night in Dallas, defeating the Stars 4-3 — scoring three times in the third. 

 

That wasn’t the case against the Hurricanes however, the Panthers were shutout 4-0. 

 

Prior to last Thursday’s loss in Carolina, the Panthers went 21 straight games not conceding more than three goals.

 

As they did a few days ago against the Stars, Panthers were able to score three unanswered goals — cutting Tampa’s lead to 4-3 — but to get the tying goal.

 

The Lightning iced the game with 1:32 remaining in regulation on a Kucherov empty netter.

 

Kulikov gets ejected

Trailing 3-0 in the second, the Panthers finally got a puck past Andrei Vasilevskiy, making it a two-goal game.

 

Or so they thought.

 

Leading up to the goal, Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov interfered with Lightning forward Conor Sheary, hitting him close to the head.

 

The officials reviewed the call and ended up taking the Panthers goal off the board and issuing Kulikov a five-minute major for a hit to the head. 

 

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has been around the league since the mid 90’s. A goal being taken off the board after an uncalled penalty was reviewed was a first for him.



“No. Never seen one of those,” Maurice said. “But that’s the beauty of the National Hockey League, they’ll always surprise you with something.”

 

Kulikov has been suspended one time his career. In 2015, during his first stint with the Panthers, Kulikov was suspended four-games for clipping Tyler Seguin.

 

Mayhem break lose in period two 

Tampa scored 20 seconds into the game on Saturday, then added a second goal in the first. It looked like it wasn’t going to get any better for Florida when the second rolled around.

The Lightning grabbed two more goals in the following period, going up 4-0 on the Panthers. The Lightning scored on two of their three shots in the frame. 

 

Dmitry Kulikov’s ejection also came in the second and the Panthers goal came off the board. Then the Lightning scored on a 5-on-3 advantage to make it 4-0. 

 

The Panthers were able to somewhat rally after a few quick goals from Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart — cutting the four-goal deficit to just two.

 

“We definitely played way better once it was 4-0, but we just can’t. It’s 4-0, it’s on us,” Tkachuk said. “We gave up way too many good chances early, that’s not our game, that’s not what’s going to make us successful.”

 

By the time the second intermission rolled around, the game which looked like a Lightning blowout became an actual hockey game. 

 

Florida outshot 18-3 in the second and surpassed that with a 20-2 advantage in the third. 

 

Panthers Notes 

Sam Reinhart scored twice, pushing his season goal total to 48

 

Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues returned to the lineup after missing last game against the Hurricanes  

Exploring the 4rabet App Phenomenon

Experiencing Excellence with 4rabet App

The 4rabet download app India has set a high standard for mobile betting applications with its stunning and user-friendly interface. The design is intuitive, ensuring that users can navigate through the various sections with ease. The developers have clearly prioritized user comfort, making this application a joy to use.

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Seamless Performance

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Easy Deposits and Withdrawals

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4rabet app India provides a superior betting experience for its users. From its easy-to-use interface and wide range of betting options to its top-notch security measures and efficient customer support, this app checks all the boxes. Its seamless performance and easy transaction processes further enhance its appeal, making it a top choice for online betting enthusiasts. The 4rabet app is undoubtedly a shining example of what a mobile betting application should be.

Thrilling Sports Betting with 4rabet App

Football fans will find their sanctuary in the 4rabet app India. The app offers a wide range of betting options on numerous football events from leagues all over the world. Users can place bets on match outcomes, player performances, and even specific events within games such as goals scored or cards given. The variety of bets available allows users to engage with the sport on a deeper level, enhancing the excitement of watching their favorite teams play.

Cricket Craze with 4rabet

In India, cricket is more than just a sport – it’s a religion. Recognizing this, the 4rabet app provides extensive cricket betting options. Users can bet on top cricket events like the IPL, Test Matches, and T20 tournaments. They can place bets on match outcomes, individual player performances, and even intricate details like the number of boundaries or wickets in a game. With 4rabet, every cricket match becomes a thrilling experience.

Basketball Betting on 4rabet

Basketball is another popular sport featured on the 4rabet app. Users can place bets on international basketball events, including NBA games. Betting options include predicting the winning team, total points scored, and player stats such as rebounds or assists. This variety ensures that basketball fans can fully immerse themselves in the action, making each game an exhilarating event.

Tennis Thrills on 4rabet

For tennis enthusiasts, the 4rabet app offers a multitude of betting opportunities. Users can bet on major tournaments like Wimbledon, the French Open, and the US Open. The types of bets available include match winners, set scores, and even specific events like break points won. This diversity allows tennis fans to engage with the sport in a unique and exciting way.

Horse Racing Highlights with 4rabet

Horse racing is another sport that users can bet on using the 4rabet app India. The app covers major horse racing events, allowing users to place bets on race winners, placing positions, and even the time taken by horses to finish the race. This range of betting options adds an extra layer of excitement to the already thrilling sport of horse racing.

 

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Casino Excitement on 4rabet App

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Poker Fun with 4rabet

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Blackjack Bliss with 4rabet

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Baccarat Betting on 4rabet

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Live Casino Action on 4rabet

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Installing 4rabet App Made Easy

For sports betting enthusiasts and casino game lovers, getting the 4rabet app on their smartphones is a priority. The process of 4rabet download is simple and straightforward, whether for Android or iOS devices. The first step is to visit the official website of 4rabet from where the app can be downloaded.

Installation Guide for Android Devices

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Installation Guide for iOS Devices

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Downloading and installing the 4rabet app India on Android or iOS devices is a simple process that can be completed within a few minutes.

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  1. Download and open the 4rabet app on your device.
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Place Your First Bet

Placing the first bet on the 4rabet app is an exciting experience. Here’s how to do it:

 

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How to Withdraw Money from a Sports Betting Account (Complete Guide)

Have you just won a huge parlay bet? Or maybe you’ve got some cash sitting in your sports betting account that’s been there for a while? Whatever the case might be, it’s a good idea to withdraw the money to your bank account so that you can actually use it — and this guide is going to show you how. 

Luckily, it’s easy to withdraw money from a sports betting account. This is true no matter which one of the popular betting sites you use, whether you’re on DraftKings or BetMGM. Best of all, the money can be withdrawn and accessed within 24 hours, so there’s no time-consuming delays either. 

Here’s what you need to do. 

How to Withdraw Money from a Sports Betting Account: 5-Step Process 

Step 1: Use a Licensed Online Sportsbook 

Before anything else, make sure you’re registered with an officially licensed online sportsbook taken from gamble-usa.com. This way, you’ll never have to worry about your money being lost or stolen. Luckily, the US is home to over 50 licensed online sportsbooks, so there’s plenty to choose from. And if you already have an account with one of them, you can move right onto the step. 

Step 2: Check That Your Account is Verified

Before any winnings can be withdrawn, you need to check that your account is verified. Normally, this is done by supplying a government-issued ID. Also, you might have to confirm your email address and (or) phone number. 

Step 3: Choose “Withdrawals” from the Menu 

Once you’re verified, open up your online sportsbook’s menu and choose the “Withdrawals” option. This will then transport you to the place you need to be. Remember, almost every major online sportsbook has something called a minimum withdrawal amount (e.g. $10). You must have equal to or above this amount in your account in order for your withdrawal request to be accepted. Otherwise, you’ll need to keep betting on sports, such as NFL games, until you win enough money.  

Step 4: Select Your Withdrawal Method

Most online sportsbooks allow you to withdraw winnings using: 

💳 Credit or debit card 

🅿️ PayPal 

🏦 Bank wire

All you have to do is choose which method you prefer — easy. For instance, if you have a PayPal account and want your winnings to go there, select PayPal

Step 5: Wait for the Money to Arrive in Your Account 

Whichever withdrawal method you choose, you’ll typically have to wait no longer than 24 hours. However, sometimes withdrawals can take 24-48 hours depending on the sportsbook and method that you’re using. If for some reason your money doesn’t arrive in your account within the allocated time frame, then contact your online sportsbook directly for technical help, as there might have been an error with your withdrawal. 

Summary

Follow the above-mentioned steps if you want to withdraw money from a sports betting account this year. As long as you’re above the minimum deposit amount and choose a verified withdrawal method, you’ll be able to do this in no time and start enjoying the money you’ve won. 

The Socioeconomic Impact of Gaming Industries

Casinos have long been a staple of entertainment and leisure, drawing millions of visitors each year with promises of excitement and fortune. However, beyond the glitz and glamour lies a complex economic ecosystem that influences communities, economies, and societies in profound ways. In this article, we’ll explore the multifaceted economics of casinos and their socioeconomic impact on both local and global scales.

The Role of Casinos in Economic Development

Job Creation and Employment Opportunities

One of the most significant contributions of casinos to the economy is job creation. From dealers and croupiers to hospitality staff and management professionals, they employ a diverse workforce that spans various skill levels and sectors. In regions where gaming establishments operate, they often serve as major employers, providing stable jobs and career advancement opportunities for local residents. Online casinos are keeping up with their real-world counterparts, read Canadian Casino Review to find out about the best online gambling sites.

Revenue Generation and Taxation

Casinos also generate substantial revenue for governments through taxation and licensing fees. The gaming industry contributes billions of dollars in tax payments annually, which are used to fund public services, infrastructure projects, and social programs. This remuneration stream plays a crucial role in supporting local economies and improving the quality of life for residents in casino-hosting jurisdictions.

Impact on Local Economies

Tourism and Hospitality

Gambling venues are magnets for tourism, attracting visitors from near and far who come to gamble, dine, shop, and attend entertainment events. The influx of tourists stimulates growth in the hospitality sector, leading to the development of hotels, restaurants, bars, and other amenities to accommodate the needs of visitors. This, in turn, creates a ripple effect that benefits ancillary industries and stimulates economic growth in the region.

Small Business Growth and Development

The presence of casinos can also spur entrepreneurship and small business development in surrounding communities. Local entrepreneurs may capitalize on the inflow of visitors by opening new businesses, such as souvenir shops, tour companies, transportation services, and entertainment venues. These small businesses contribute to job creation, economic diversification, and overall prosperity in the area.

Social and Cultural Impact

Community Investment and Philanthropy

Many gaming establishments engage in corporate social responsibility initiatives, investing in community development projects and philanthropic endeavors. From funding education and healthcare programs to supporting arts and cultural institutions, casinos play a vital role in giving back to the communities where they operate. These investments help improve social welfare, enhance quality of life, and promote sustainable development.

Addressing Social Issues

Despite their economic benefits, casinos also pose certain social challenges, including problem gambling, addiction, and social inequality. Responsible gaming initiatives, addiction prevention programs, and community outreach efforts are essential components of addressing these issues. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, including government agencies, advocacy groups, and mental health professionals, gaming venues can mitigate the negative social impacts of gambling and promote responsible playing practices.

Bottom Line

The economics of casinos are far-reaching and complex, encompassing a wide range of socioeconomic factors that influence communities, economies, and societies. While casinos contribute to job creation, revenue generation, and economic development, they also present challenges related to social welfare, addiction, and inequality. By understanding and addressing these issues, gambling establishments can maximize their positive impact on local and global scales, fostering sustainable growth, prosperity, and well-being for all stakeholders involved.

Panthers Score Four Unanswered in Comeback Win Over Stars

The Florida Panthers didn’t make it easy on themselves in their 4-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night.

 

Sloppy play, a few bad bounces and a faster Stars team had the Panthers looking lost and down 3-0 midway through the second period.

 

“We went through the first 30 minutes for sure, possibly two periods of hockey where we weren’t anywhere near (how they should’ve played),” head coach Paul Maurice said. “We didn’t look the way we were supposed to look. It just wasn’t right, wasn’t hard enough.”

 

But the Comeback Cats just wouldn’t go away.

 

Sam Reinhart gave the Panthers some life 12:52 into the second with his 46th goal of the season.

 

A flukey, deflected shot by Reinhart found its way past Stars goalie Jake Oettinger on the power play. No matter the way it went in, Florida was going to run with it.

 

The Panthers played one of, if not the worst opening two periods of hockey they had all season in Dallas. 

 

If it wasn’t for a few miraculous saves by Sergei Bobrovsky while the Panthers were in a hole, the Stars probably would’ve ran Florida out the building by the time the third rolled around.

 

“Even though it was 3-0 it could’ve easily been 8-0. It actually could’ve been,” Matthew Tkachuk said when speaking of Bobrovsky’s impact. “He did a great job of keeping us in it.”

 

Tkachuk said they told Bobrovsky to “shut the door in the third” and they’d find a way to win. The Panthers and their netminder stuck to that promise.

 

In the third, Florida came out with more jump than they had shown in the first forty minutes on Tuesday night.

 

The Panthers were giving the Stars an effort that was more consistent with the NHL’s top team, but they still couldn’t get a second past Oettinger. It wasn’t until the final ten minutes of regulation, where the Panthers would get their second goal of the game.

 

Then the floodgates opened.

 

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov made it a one-goal game after ever so slightly deflecting Carter Verhaeghe’s shot into the Stars net on the power play.

 

Less than three minutes after Barkov made it a one score game, Sam Bennett erased the Stars three goal advantage after redirecting Matthew Tkachuk’s shot for his 16th goal of the season.

 

Dallas’ huge lead vanished and all of a sudden, it was a 3-3 contest with six minutes to go.

 

Already with two power play goals on the night, the hungry Panthers got one more shot on the man-advantage just 28 seconds after tying the game — they made Dallas pay.

 

Aleksander Barkov scored his second goal of the night and the game winner after his pass which was intended for Matthew Tkachuk bounced off a Stars defender and into the net.

 

“Even though it wasn’t our game tonight I think we really stuck with it,” Gustav Forsling said. “Real character win to comeback.”

 

The Panthers scored four unanswered goals en route to their 4-3 comeback win over one of the Western Conference’s top teams.

 

“The comeback’s great for the players,” Maurice said. “They get to enjoy it. But to be able to not have anything going for two periods and then get to play hard, the way we need to play, that’s a really important thing to carry with you.”

 

Panthers Notes

The Panthers were without defenseman Aaron Ekblad (out for at least two weeks) and forward Evan Rodrigues (day-to-day). Josh Mahura and Kyle Okposo drew in respectively for those two.

 

Okposo, 35, made his Panthers after being acquired at the deadline from Buffalo.


Sergei Bobrovsky had 27 saves in his 32nd win of the season.

 

Sam Bennett skated in his 600th NHL game — “He’s a really good guy,” Forsling said of Bennett. “He’s playing hard every single night. He gives 100 percent.”

Tarasenko Scores Twice, Panthers Put Five Past Flames

SUNRISE — New Panther Vladimir Tarasenko had two goals and an assists on Saturday in the Panthers 5-1 win over the Calgary 

 

The Panthers, who dropped Thursday night’s game against Philadelphia, bounced back to prevent their first consecutive losses at home since January. 

 

Anthony Stolarz had 34 saves in his 13th win of the season. The Panthers remain the top team in the NHL with a 44-17-4 record.

 

Here’s Saturday’s takeaways.

 

Panthers lose two players to injury

While the final score and overall game effort was positive for the Panthers, they did lose two players to injury before the final buzzer. 

 

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad left Saturday afternoon’s game in the first period after a center ice collision with his teammate, Vladimir Tarasenko.

 

Ekblad immediately skated to the Panthers bench and went down the tunnel, after his left leg collided with Tarasenko’s. 

 

Ekblad was able to get off on his own wait when he headed back to the bench. He took his last shift with 4:41 to go in the period. 

 

With 36 seconds remaining in the second period, the Panthers then lost a second skater to injury. 

 

Forward Evan Rodrigues blocked a slapshot right above the skate on his left leg.

 

Rodrigues fell to the ice and was visibly in pain. He had to be assisted by a trainer back to the locker room.

 

Neither Ekblad nor Rodrigues returned to the game.

 

Head coach Paul Maurice said that updates on both players would come Monday, but after a few more questions regarding Ekblad’s health, he gave a bit of a more assuring update. 

 

“He’s gonna be ok. I don’t know when he’s coming back. It might be practice monday, maybe a little bit longer,” Maurice said. “I’ll give you a real good answer Monday.”

 

These injuries come just one day after the NHL trade deadline. 

 

Welcome to the Tarasenkshow Sunrise 

In his second game with the Panthers, the spotlight was on Vladimir Tarasenko. 

 

Tarasenko had three points on the afternoon — scoring two goals and an assist in the second period.

 

23 seconds into the second, Tarsenko intercepted a pass from former Panther Jonathan Huberdeau and beat another former Panther, Jakob Markstrom, with a snap shot blocker side — giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. 

 

He scored again with 5:05 left in the period, beating Markstrom from the top of the circle — this time glove side. 

 

“I’m not gonna lie, it’s nice, kind of a relief (to score early during his Panthers tenure),” Tarasenko said. “I feel like I fel comfortable as the game goes on.”

 

Tarasenko also had the secondary assist on Florida’s second goal of the game, scored by Aleksander Barkov.  

 

He was acquired on Wednesday in a trade from Ottawa.

 

Five-goal middle frame

The first two periods of Thursday’s game couldn’t have been more opposite. 

 

After 20 minutes of play, both teams were scoreless — with a combined 18 shots on goal.

 

The second period looked as if two different teams were playing. 

 

“We weren’t really excited about our start,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “We needed to get physical and Vlad’s (Tarasenko) got the first hit in there and that kind of started things for us.”

 

There were five total goals in the second — four coming from the Panthers and just one for the flames.

 

“We were better in the second period,” Maurice added. “I mean our goaltender was fantastic tonight.”

 

Tarasenko scored twice for the Panthers. Barkov and Bennett also had a goal before the period was over.


Yegor Shrangovich had the lone Flames goal, which came seven seconds into their second  power play. 

 

Panthers Notes

Kevin Stenlund scored the fifth Panthers goal, shorthanded

 

Gustav Forsling had two assists and was a +3 

 

The Panthers will next play March 12th in Dallas against the Stars

 

Florida won’t play another home game until March 16th against the Tampa Bay Lightning

2024 NHL Trade Deadline: Panthers Add Tarasenko, Okposo to Roster

FORT LAUDERDALE — The 2024 NHL Trade Deadline has officially passed and the Florida Panthers welcomed some new faces to the team. 

 

The Panthers made a few trades on deadline week — adding two veteran forwards to the already stacked roster.

 

Florida’s biggest deal was made on the Wednesday before the deadline, when they acquired four-time All-Star Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators. 

 

“He’s just a smart player. He gets to where he needs to, movies the puck at the right time.” head coach Paul Maurice said. “He’s a good, veteran guy that I think can develop chemistry with just about anybody.”

 

Florida sent Ottawa a 2024 conditional fourth-round pick and a 2025 third-round pick for the 2019 Stanley Cup champion. 

 

Just a few hours before the deadline passed on Friday, the Panthers traded for another veteran forward, acquiring former Buffalo Sabres captain, Kyle Okposo. 

 

“I’m just looking forward to being a piece,” Okposo told ESPN on Friday. “You can just tell what kind of team they are by the way they compete and the way they place on the ice.”

 

Okposo, 35, has appeared in over 1,000 NHL games across his 16-year career, between the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres. 

 

“I love how they play. They play nasty, in your face,” Okposo added. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun to kind of learn the intricacies of their style and a how a coach like Paul Maurice wants to do things.”

 

The former Sabres captain played with current Panthers Brandon Montour, Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart in Buffalo. While it is nice that he will has some familiarity in Sunrise, that didn’t play into the equation for the Panthers.

 

“It’s a wonderful convenience. He’s such a player that if we hadn’t had any of his former teammates it wouldn’t have changed my mind,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said of Okposo. “It’s a very nice element, sort of eases the transition. To that extent it’s very valuable.”

 

Florida traded 24-year-old Calle Sjalin (Charlotte Checkers) and a 2024 conditional seventh-round pick for Okposo. 

 

In the final hour of the deadline, the Panthers acquired goaltender Magnus Hellberg from the Pittsburgh Penguins, in exchange for goaltender Ludovic Waeber and a 2025 conditional seventh-round pick.

 

Florida made this move because of Hellberg’s experience playing in North America. He’s a 32-year-old with multiple years of experience in the AHL and a decent amount of NHL games — this was an insurance move for the Panthers organization in net. Waeber, 27, is still in his first year of North American professional hockey after spending his entire career in Europe.

 

They also claimed 22-year-old Tobias Bjornfot off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights. Bjornfot was a first-round pick of the LA Kings in 2019.  

 

“Tobias is a great professional with an extremely strong work ethic,” Zito said. “We are excited for him to get to work within the Panthers organization.”

 

Bjornfot has 119 NHL games under his belt and played 70 games in 2021-22 with the Kings.

 

“He’s 22. A recent first-round pick. He’s already played almost a full season in the league,” Zito said. “We look at is as a prospect with some pretty significant upside.”

 

The Panthers were able to not only players who they believe will contribute to the team down as the playoffs roll around, but they also didn’t trade away a single NHL roster player or lose anyone on waivers.

 

Deadline Guide 

IN: Vladimir Tarasenko (Acquired from Ottawa), Kyle Okposo (Acquired from Buffalo), Magnus Hellberg (Acquired from Pittsburgh), Tobias Bjornfot (Waivers from Vegas), 2025 conditional 7th round pick (FLA)

 

OUT: Calle Sjalin, Ludovic Waeber, 2024 7th round pick (FLA) [Conditional], 2024 4th round pick (FLA) [Conditional], 2025 3rd round pick (FLA) 

 

CONDITIONS: 2024 7th round pick upgrades to a 2024 5th round pick if Florida wins the Stanley Cup. 2024 4th round pick upgrades to a 2026 3rd round pick if Florida wins the Stanley Cup in 2023-24

Tarasenko Makes Debut, Panthers Fall Late to Flyers

SUNRISE — The Philadelphia Flyers were the last team to beat the Panthers at home — on Feb. 6. In their return to Sunrise, they repeated the occasion, defeating Florida 2-1 with a last second winning goal.

 

Garnet Hathaway gave Philadelphia their 33rd win after scoring with 21.3 seconds left in Thursday night’s contest.

 

Samuel Ersson had 29 saves in an important win for the Flyers as they hold the final metropolitan playoff spot with 18 games remaining on their schedule. 

 

Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky had 24 saves in the loss — the Panthers are now 43-17-4 on the season but remain first in the NHL standings. 

 

After a scoreless opening period, the Flyers broke the ice just 10 seconds into the second.

 

Ryan Poehling drove the net, dropped the shoulder and roofed his eighth goal of the season over Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. 

 

Philadelphia’s lead lasted seven minutes before Florida would answer. 

 

7:12 into the season, Gustav Forsling scored his 10th goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1. 

 

Thursday was a great personal day for the Panthers’ top-line defenseman. Before he ripped a point shot past Flyers goalie Samuel Errson, the 27-year-old inked an eight-year, $46M extension with the Panthers — cementing him as a solidified core piece going forward in Sunrise. 

 

Forsling, who was a waiver pickup when he was brought to Florida in 2021, reflected on his journey from nearly going to the AHL to signing a maximum term extension.

 

“It’s very emotional actually, it’s life changing,” Forsling said. “I’m just very grateful for everything they’ve done (Bill Zito and the Panthers).”

 

The last day and a half leading up to Thursday’s games was an exciting period in South Florida.

 

All eyes were on the Panthers after gm Bill Zito made a big swing to acquire four-time All-Star, Vladimir Tarasenko from Ottawa. 

 

After being acquired on Wednesday, Tarasenko took the ice for his Florida Panthers debut.

 

Tarasenko, 32, played on Florida’s top line with Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart. He also appeared on the Panthers’ second power play unit.

 

I like the small things that he did that are non skill related,” head coach Paul Maurice said when speaking of Tarasenko’s debut. “The skill’s there, we’re not worried about that. But he blocked some shots and picked up reads very quickly with a whole bunch of new systems.”

 

The two sides kept the game tied for most of the night. It wasn’t until the final minute of play where someone would break the deadlock. 

 

Garnet Hathaway’s seventh goal of the season came at the perfect time as he snuck a rebound shot behind Bobrovsky for the game winner. 

 

Panthers Notes

The Panthers’ next opponent will be the Calgary Flames, this Saturday afternoon at home

 

Friday, March 8th at 3 p.m. ET is the NHL Trade Deadline. The Panthers have just over $3M in deadline cap space if they wish to make any additional moves

Panthers Acquire Tarasenko From Senators

The Florida Panthers have acquired 32-year-old forward Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators, the team announced today. 

 

The reported trade package heading back to Ottawa is a fourth-round pick in 2024 (becomes 2026 third if Florida wins the cup) and a third-round pick in 2025, per TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. Ottawa also retains 50 percent of Tarasenko’s $5M contract in the trade.

 

The four-time All-Star signed a one-year contract, with a full no-trade clause, this summer with the Senators. He had to waive his NTC to facilitate a trade to Florida. 

 

Tarasenko, 32, has been an offensive threat for most of his career — putting up 615 points  (287 goals, 328 assists) in 732 career games. This season with Ottawa, Tarasenko has 17 goals and 41 points through 57 games. 

 

The skilled forward will be able to bring some additional firepower to the top-six in Florida — whether that’s next to Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, or Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett. 

 

“Vladimir is a highly skilled and experienced scoring winger who provides our club with another dynamic offensive option as we embark on the remainder of our season,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said. “We are excited for him to join our team, and to compete for the Stanley Cup once again.”

 

A 2019 Stanley Cup champion with the St.Louis Blues, Tarasenko spent the first 11 seasons of his NHL career in St. Louis before being traded to the New York Rangers ahead of the 2022-23 NHL trade deadline. Current Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola also went to New York in the trade. 

 

Tarasenko will see a few familiar faces once he gets to Sunrise. He has represented Russia in numerous international tournaments alongside Panthers’ goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov. He most recently played with Mikkola in St.Louis and New York. 

 

The trade deadline is Friday, March 8 at 3 p.m. ET.

Lundell Gets Shootout Winner, Reinhart scores Twice in Panthers Comeback Win Over Canadiens

SUNRISE — Anton Lundell scored the shootout winner as the Panthers defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Thursday night after trailing late in the third.

 

Florida moved back to first place in the NHL in the win and became the second team to win 40 games this season. 

 

“It was a good hockey game today. They didn’t give us anything easy,” Lundell said. “We knew it’s not going to be easy so we had to battle every shift.”

 

Anthony Stolarz, who played in his 100th NHL game, had 28 saves for his 11th win of the season.

 

“Who would’ve thought 25-30 years ago that you’d be here,” Stolarz said. “I’m grateful for it and at the same time [I’m] not taking it for granted.”

 

Aleksander Barkov and Nick Suzuki are both likely to finish near the top of the Selke voting at the end of the season. While they are known for their defensive abilities, the two captains exchanged goals in the first. 

 

Barkov opened the scoring with his 14th goal of the season 7:01 into the first. Suzuki answered under 90 seconds later, making it 1-1. Both players finished the night with a goal and two assists. 

 

Sam Reinhart was on a bit of a cold streak going into Thursday night’s game. He was riding a seven-game goalless streak — the longest of the year.

 

Sitting on 39 goals for over two weeks, Reinhart finally broke the ice, becoming the fourth player in Panthers history to score 40 goals in a season on Thursday. 

 

With 5:52 left in the second period, Reinhart beat Canadiens’ goalie Sam Montembeault for his 40th. 

 

“It’s felt like a long time,” Reinhart said. “It’s nice to get back in the scoresheet, to get another win, especially before going on the road. We’ve got a couple of big games coming up.”

 

There have been five 40-goal seasons in Panthers history; Pavel Bure did it twice (1999-00, 2000-01), while Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe both did it last season (2022-23). 

 

Up 2-1 near the end of the second period, the Panthers were just one faceoff away from taking a one-goal lead into the intermission. 

 

Juraj Slafkovsky didn’t let that happen. 

 

With 0.7 seconds left in the period, Suzuki won the draw straight to Slafkovsky and the Habs’ 19-year-old forward fired a shot past Panthers’ goalie Anthony Stolarz for his 13th goal of the season. 

 

Montreal would carry the momentum of Slafkovsky’s late goal out of the intermission and they grabbed their first lead of the night early in the third. 

 

On the power play, Alex Newhook beat Stolarz up high for his ninth goal of the season, 3:27 into the third. 

 

Three goals against has been an unusual sight for the Panthers as of late. Montreal became the first team to put more than two goals in the Panthers’ net since Minnesota scored six on Jan. 18. Florida went 14 straight games conceding two or fewer goals before Thursday night. 

 

Montreal would keep hold of their lead late into the third — and the way the period was trending — it looked as if they were going to sneak out of Sunrise with the two points. 

 

After scoring his 40th and snapping his goal drought, Sam Reinhart got his team back in the game when they needed him the most. 

 

Leading by one with just over seven minutes left in regulation, Montreal looked to ice the game on the power play. 

 

But, Reinhart didn’t hear a bell.

 

Barkov intercepted a pass at center ice and carried the transition rush alongside Reinhart.

 

Reinhart tucked away his second goal of the night and 41st of the season right under the bar, tying the game with 6:55 to go in regulation. 

 

“He impacts everything we do,” head coach Paul Maurice said of Reinhart. “There’s just very few men in the history of the game who get the 40-goal mark. It’s a huge accomplishment. He’s earned it.” 

 

The two teams remained tied after regulation and finished overtime the same way. 

 

Aleksander Barkov and Cole Caufield both scored in the shootout for their teams before Anton Lundell got the game winner and the extra point for Florida. 

 

The Panthers will hit the road for their next three games before returning home on March 7 against Philadelphia.