The return of Anthony Duclair from the IR proved useful, as the Florida Panthers‘ front line combined for eight points in its 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.
The Blackhawks scored early, but the Panthers would go on a three-goal run to close out the period. The third period started with a 3-1 lead for the ‘Cats, and ended with goal apiece to close out the win.
The Panthers continue to run off of the momentum of big plays — their three-goal run came after a huge hit by Radko Gudas, who leads the NHL in hits with 93.
“He has about two of those a game, and it gives us a bit of life. That definitely sparked us a bit there,” Carter Verhaeghe said.
Anthony Duclair added that “the boys were pretty pumped.”
Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves on Saturday, and is now 10-2-2 when he’s on the ice. Florida (18-5-4), has won 11 of its 18 games this season after trailing at some point, and those come from behind victories are a product of everything coming together. Starting with the Panthers’ first PK and ending with the third period goal to pad the lead, the ‘Cats played at a high level.
Star of the Game: Aleksander Barkov (2G, 1A)
Barkov, who was reunited with Duclair, scored two goals and assisting another. Barkov continues to show why he’s the captain of this strong Panthers team.
“He’s elite, one of the best centremen in the league; one of the best two-way forwards I’ve played with,” Duclair said about playing with Barkov.
