A third-goal; third period broke open a 2-2 tie between the visiting F;Florida Panthers and the Blue Jackets in Columbus, on Sunday.
The outburst drove the Blue Jackets to a 5-3 win and send the Panthers to their third straight loss.
Daniil Tarasov made a career-high 47 saves in the Blue Jackets win.
“Just a bit nervous before the first shots,” Tarasov said. “I didn’t play in the NHL for a long time.
“Every time I play against a Russian goalie in the NHL it’s special,” he said, “and tonight it was special because we’re from the same town (Novokuznetsk, Russia).”
With the score tied, 2-2, entering the third period, Sean Kuraly scored a shorthanded goal, Johnny Gaudreau scored and Boone Jenner hit for a power play goal to give the Jackets a 5-2 lead.
“It’s great to find that chemistry with a player,” Gaudreau said of Jenner. “It’s tough sometimes losing games and switching lines with different guys, but me and Boone have stuck together for most parts of the season.
“It takes time but we’re getting there. We’re finding each other and using each other well. It’s been good.”
Columbus improved to 7-10-1.
Matthew Tkachuk scored for the Panthers to give them a 1-0 lead in the first period.
“We’ve got to get some people on that front [end] and score some hard ugly goals because we’re having a hard time completing the plays around the net,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said.
Yegor Chinakhov tied it, 1-1, headed to the middle frame.
Kent Johnson hit for a power play goal with less than three minutes gone in the second period for a 2-1 lead to the Blue Jackets.
Aaron Ekblad tied it, 2-2, in the 14th minute of the frame.
Florida dropped to 9-8-2.
“It’s kind of been the same story all year,” Panthers forward Nick Cousins said. “First period we come out and dominate the shot category and every other statistic and after that we take the foot off the gas and the other team comes with a push.
“We’ve got to figure out our second period. Third periods we’re fine, we come out with energy. Seconds periods have got to be better.”
Colin White scored with just under two minutes left on the clock for the 5-3 final.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 18 saves in the Panthers loss.
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