In Sunrise, the visiting Anaheim Ducks let an early 2-0 lead, and a late 3-2 lead get away from them on Monday afternoon in a 4-3 loss to the Panthers in extra time.
The Panthers’ Carter Verhaeghe scored off a breakaway at 1:42 of the extra session for the win.
“It was pretty cool, pretty good accomplishment, but it was nice to win,” Verhaeghe said. “All game it felt like we were in control and had a ton of chances. We just could not finish them. They got a couple one-off chances. It was nice to win.”
Sergei Bobrovsky made 20 saves in the win.
Florida improved to 29-25-6.
“We were down one, but with seven minutes left figured we would have gotten at least four more chances to score,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “If there is any hockey karma going, we were going to get one of them to go. It was a pretty one-sided game, we just couldn’t put it past their [goalie].”
The Ducks had taken a 3-2 lead in the third period on a goal from Dmitry Kulikov at 12:51.
Ryan Lomberg tied the game, 3-3, for the Panthers at 14:09 of the third.
The Ducks took a 2-0 lead in the first period on strikes from Mason McTavish and Frank Vatrano.
“We have to learn to play with the lead,” Vatrano said. “We obviously were playing with the lead for the right reasons, and sometimes we get away from the game a little bit. But if we have a lead we’ve just got to keep playing the same way and not overcomplicate things.”
Anaheim dropped to 17-33-7.
“In this league now, being up two, three goals, it doesn’t mean anything,” Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins said. “It’s game on out there every minute of the game. I think the best way to protect leads now is to score again. That was a big effort by Florida. They’re obviously very desperate and trying to solidify the playoff spot.”
Florida rallied in the middle frame to tie the game, 2-2, on goals from Eric Staal at 2:12.
“It was kids day, so you had to make sure you were ready to go,” Staal said. “You want to show your kids you still got a little bit in the tank.”
Marc Staal tied it at 17:23, 2-2.
John Gibson made 50 saves in the Ducks loss.
“‘Gibby’ was real good, kept us in there when we needed him,” Eakins said. “They were throwing everything in the kitchen sink at that net. He did a real good job.”
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