The Florida Panthers remain a perfect 6-0 after a win over the winless Arizona Coyotes 5-3 on Monday night. Jonathan Huberdeau had a big night for Florida, with one goal and an assist. Meanwhile, both Brandon Montour and Sam Reinhart had two assists for the Panthers. For Arizona, Clayton Keller, Phil Kessel, and Liam O’Brien each had one goal.
First Period:
Florida started out the game swinging, with Florida putting up the first nine shots of the game, and eventually outshooting Arizona 11-1 in the period. On their only shot of the period, Arizona would score off of a breakaway goal by Clayton Keller, which went past Spencer Knight’s five-hole. 39 seconds later, Clayton Keller would send Florida on a power-play, which Joe Thornton would cash in on with 19 seconds left in the period, his first of the year.
Second Period:
Arizona would switch goaltenders entering the second period. Despite Carter Hutton playing well in the first, saving 10 of 11 shots, he would be replaced with Karel Vejimelka, who saved 26 of 29 shots. Florida would widen the gap in the second period. At 14 minutes exact, Brandon Montour would set up Frank Vatrano cross-ice to make it 2-1 Florida. Florida would score a second power play goal 4:19 later, when Aaron Ekblad hit a piece of a Coyotes defender to make the lead 3-1.
Third Period:
Florida would clinch the game-winning goal when Jonathan Huberdeau and Sam Bennett would break out on a 2-on-0 to make it 4-1. Despite being down 4-1 with eight minutes left, Arizona would attempt to mount a comeback. Christian Fisher and former Florida Panther Anton Stralman would set up Liam O’Brien, who would shoot it past Spencer Knight from the right side of the ice. 34 seconds later, Phil Kessel would score to put the game within one when he would dangle and shoot it past Knight. Knight, his second start of the year, had sort of an off game, saving 18 of a possible 21 shots. After Arizona’s two goals in 34 seconds, Joel Quenneville would call a timeout to keep his team together. Anthony Duclair would lock up the game on an empty-netter with 39 seconds remaining. This would come after Knight made the game-saving save.
Next Up
The Panthers will host the Boston Bruins at home on Wednesday night. Then, Florida has a two-game road-stand with Detroit and Boston on back-to-back nights.