In Vancouver Wednesday night, the Florida Panthers posted four goals in a wild opening period to stake themselves to a 4-2 lead after 20 minutes.
They surrendered just one more goal en route to a 4-3 win over the Canucks.
Evgenii Dadonov, Jamie McGinn, Alexander Petrovic, and Nick Bjugstad scored in the opening outburst for Florida.
James Reimer settled down after shaky first period to help Panthers defeat Canucks, 4-3 – file photo by Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
“We’re scoring goals, which is nice, we’re finding ways to put pucks in the net and [James Reimer] made some big saves at the end of the game as well, Panthers head coach Bob Boughner said after the win.
James Reimer made 34 saves to pick up the win.
“He (Reimer) was great in the third period, there were some chances late, a one-timer in the slot that we can’t give up, but he came up with a huge save,” McGinn said. “That’s what we need from him.”
Florida has awoken late in the season and are 6-1-0 in their seven games but still trail the second wild card spot by seven points; they are 25-23-6 on the season.
“I don’t know if it was one of our best games but you give credit to the guys given the circumstances today,” Panthers captain Derek MacKenzie said. “I thought we had a bit of a sluggish start, probably for a lot of reasons, and then kind of settled in and tried to control emotions and came up with two points.”
The Canucks are going the opposite direction once again this season, losing five of their last six.
Bo Horvat, Michael Del Zotto and Brock Boeser scored for the Canucks in the loss.
“Not good enough,” Canucks coach Travis Green said. “We did some good things. They are a really fast team. If you are going to beat a fast team you have to be able to pass the puck, you have to be able to handle the puck, your details have to be good and you have to win puck battles. At times we did that. At times we didn’t, especially in the first period.”
[WATCH:Â All Panthers vs. Canucks highlights]
Jacob Markstrom was given the hook in the first period after making 10 saves on just 14 shots.
“He let in four goals. I thought I would put [Anders Nilsson] in. I’m not going to sit here and blame him on the goals. I know the kind of guy [Jacob Markstrom] is. He is going to expect to save more,” Green said on the hook.
Anders Nilsson relieved Markstrom and made 20 saves.
A moment of silence was observed before the game in respect of the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida earlier in the day that ended with 17 dead from gun violence.
“We talked about getting two points and kind of dedicating this win to everybody back home, and what can I say? It’s a sad day,” Florida’s Derek MacKenzie said after the game.
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