Panthers down Columbus, 5-1

In Sunrise, the Florida Panthers hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets for a second straight game.

New surroundings have done a world of good for Sam Bennett, on Tuesday night potted two goals in a 5-1 win over Columbus.

Spencer Knight made his NHL debut in the nets for Florida and made 33 saves to get the win.

“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be,” Knight said. “The guys did a good job of keeping it light and just telling me, ‘just go out and play hockey.’ That’s what I’m trying to do.”

Jack Roslovic was the lone goal scorer for the Blue Jackets, the strike came off the power play to make the 2-1 in favor of the Panthers.

“I think he (Knight) looked very cool and calm in the net,” Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville said “The way he came out and handled pucks and assessed all his options, you could see he’s understanding of where everybody is around the game, around the rink. He tracks the puck extremely well, looked big in the net, is positionally aware. It’s a great start for his career. It was fun to watch his composure throughout.”

The Columbus losing streak is now at seven games.

“It was [Knight’s] first game,” the Blue Jackets’ Cam Atkinson said. “We didn’t do enough to get pucks to the net. I know him. I’m happy for him, but we should have made it harder for him.”

The Panthers took a 2-0 lead off two rapid fire goals from Aleksander Barkov and Bennett  in the opening frame.

“In a short amount of time, you can tell they really like playing with one another,” Quenneville said. “They’ve had some highlight-reel goals. [Bennett] seems to be getting to the net. Some pretty plays off the rush. They really have, in a short amount of time, clicked. All three guys are really making it happen. It’s been fun to watch.”

Ryan Lomberg  and Jonathan Huberdeau  also scored for the Panthers to give them some late breathing room.

Joonas Korpisalo made 27 saves in the loss.

“It’s a 5-1 game but at 2-1 we’re involved in it,” Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella said. “It’s offsides, a couple of turnovers, it’s 3-1 and that’s it. We just won’t recover from those turnovers with this hockey club.”