After a scoreless first period in Sunrise, the Florida Panthers scored three times in the middle frame, including two of Alex Wennberg first NHL hat trick goals in a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 44 saves in the win, in his 500th NHL game.
“It definitely was (fun),” Bobrovsky said. “It was a special night since I stepped into the locker room before the game to see all the jerseys and the last names in Russian and all the boys were trying to figure out their last names. And all the way through. I was trying to take every moment in and enjoy every moment of this special night. And the guys did a great job. It was definitely a special and memorable night for me.”
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored early in the third period to cut into the Panthers lead, 3-1.
“I think we’re playing better hockey,” Bjorkstrand said. “We just need to find a way to get better results. We’ve just got to build off what makes us successful. That’s all we can do. We need to win.”
MacKenzie Weegar and Frank Vatrano scored single markers for Florida.
“I mean, it’s always a little bit special to play against them,” Wennberg said. “We’ve played them a bunch in the past, but it was one of those games right now you’re excited for this game, and just the way it played, I felt we had a good one as well. So it was just a lot of fun out there.”
Zach Werenski also scored for the Jackets in the third period to make the score, 4-2, in his 453rd NHL game.
“It’s a great week,” Werenski said. “I mean, right now it’s kind of working my way a little bit. I’m just trying to ride the wave a little bit and keep doing the same thing and hopefully I can get some more next game as well.”
Elvis Merzlikins got the start for Columbus, but was given the hook in the second intermission; he made 21 saves.
“I think we’re playing the right way,” Columbus head coach John Tortorella said. “Gave up a little bit too much tonight, but give them some credit. We just give too much for free. We are not equipped enough as far as goal scoring to give things for free. We played a ton of good minutes tonight.”
Joonas Korpisalo made 12 saves in relief.
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