The oft-discussed Chris Driedger made 32 saves on Sunday and blanked the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-0 in Sunrise.
Driedger has been discussed as a trade option for the Panthers.
“Honestly, I think our team is playing fantastic,” Driedger said. “I try and just do the same stuff every game. It’s been good. It’s been a lot of fun. The guys have been locking it down defensively. It makes things real easy when we keep things to the outside.”
Aleksander Barkov scored in the middle frame to give the Panthers all the offense they would need.
“Actually, the first game I didn’t feel that good,” Barkov said. “Obviously I was happy to be back. That’s why I kind of got through the game. I didn’t feel that good, but the team played well, so it was easy to come back. I felt a little better today, and playing with these linemates and this team, it makes it easier for me.”
Frank Vatrano stretched the advantage to 2-0 in the third period.
“I don’t know, it’s just the way that goals are falling for me right now,” Vatrano said. “Tonight we played a patient game. We didn’t chase it. We stayed right with it for the full 60 minutes and got rewarded with it.”
Gustav Forsling finished the scoring with a late third period strike for the 3-0 final.
“Tonight we were right in the game,” Columbus head coach John Tortorella said. “We gave them two free ones by turning the puck over and bang-bang it’s 3-0. We’re just not a team that’s going to score five goals a game. We have to make sure, especially in the third period, that we are handling ourselves the right way or it’s tough to win a hockey game for us.”
Joonas Korpisalo made 32 saves in the loss.
“These are the stretches in the season where you don’t understand why [you are losing], and that’s why it’s so important to be consistent,” the Blue Jackets’ Nick Foligno said. “It’s frustrating [getting shut out], especially at this time of year when you know how important it is. You’re not going to win unless you get some goals.”
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