Panthers’ Sam Reinhart Scores 40th Goal of Season

For the first time in his career, Sam Reinhart is a 40-goal scorer

Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart has been one of the top scorers in the league this season and on Thursday night in Sunrise, he hit a huge career milestone. 

With 5:52 left the second period, Reinhart beat Montreal Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeualt for his 40th goal of the season — attaining that in game 60 of the season.

Reinhart became just the fourth player in Panthers history to score 40 times in a season. Pavel Bure did it twice (1999-00, 2000-01) and both Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk hit the milestone last season (2022-23). 

This is the first time in his career Reinhart joined the 40-goal club. The 28-year-old surpassed his previous season-high of 33 goals (2021-22) in January. 

“I’ve said many times before, he does all the right things on the ice… he hasn’t cheated once this year,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said when asked about Reinhart earlier this month. 

His 40 goals is tied for second most in the NHL (Zach Hyman, EDM); Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews leads the league with 52 goals.

Reinhart snapped a seven-game goalless streak, his longest of the season. His last goal before Thursday was Feb.10 against Colorado

In his three seasons with the Panthers, Reinhart has been a point-per-game player — accumulating 104 goals and 219 points in 220 games.

Pavel Bure currently holds the Panthers’ single-season goal record with 59 (2000-01) — Reinhart is on pace to score 55 goals in 82 games.