Tarasov Leads Panthers to Victory over Kings

SUNRISE, Fla. —  The Florida Panthers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 on Wednesday night at Amerant Bank Arena.

Daniil Tarasov had 27 saves in his fourth win of the year, and Florida has won six of their past seven games.

They are now tied for the final wild-card spot with Montreal, and are 18-13-2 (38 points) on the season.

Los Angeles opened the scoring 6:21 into the game thanks to Joel Armia’s eighth goal of the season. On the power-play, Brandt Clarke’s point-shot was deflected in by Armia, putting the Kings up 1–0 early on the road.

Anton Lundell got Florida on the board 2:14 in the second after tipping in an Aaron Ekblad point-shot on the power-play for his 11th goal of the season.

Carter Verheaghe gave the Panthers their first lead of the night 7:04 into the middle frame after his attempt to throw the puck on the net bounced in off a Kings player. Verhaeghe has 11 goals on the year, with nine of those coming in the past 11 games.

Sam Bennett extended the Panthers lead to 3-1 just ten seconds into the third, as he joined Lundell and Verhaeghe in getting his 11th goal off the 2025-26 campaign.

Down two, the Kings caught a fortunate break in the third which cut the Panthers lead to one.

Right off the face-off, Gustav Forsling — who was on the goal-line near the left side of the boards — had his clearing attempt ricochet off Kevin Fiala and through Tarasov’s legs for Fiala’s team-leading 12th goal of the year, making it 3-2 with about 15 minutes to play in regulation.

Luckily for the Panthers, the “bloop” goal didn’t cost them. Thanks in larger part to great play by Tarasov down the stretch, which included shutting down a Kings power-play with 3:05 to go, Florida was able to hang on for the win.

Florida will be back on home ice Friday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.