Panthers Put Literal Beatdown on Coyotes in 6-2 Victory, While Tkachuk Shines with Two Goals

The Florida Panthers secured a convincing 6-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida on Wednesday night. The Panthers, now boasting a record of 29-14-4, treated their home fans to another spectacular performance with plenty of goals and fisticuffs, marking their second consecutive win.

The game kicked off with a bang, featuring two fights within the first seven seconds. Ryan Lomberg and Jack McBain, followed by Jonah Gadjovich and Liam O’Brien, set the tone for a high-energy match. Fueled by the pre-game intensity, the Panthers wasted no time turning that momentum into goals.

Matthew Tkachuk, the standout forward, stole the spotlight by netting two goals in a standout performance. Tkachuk expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was good to see everyone pitch in. It was a really good group effort.”

The first goal came early in the game as Tkachuk capitalized on a screened goaltender, Karel Vejmelka, to make it 1-0 at 1:53. The Panthers continued their offensive onslaught, with Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett adding to the lead. Reinhart extended his point streak to 11 games, showcasing his offensive prowess.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov made a triumphant return from a lower-body injury, contributing with an assist in his first game back. Defenseman Gustav Forsling, back in the lineup after a brief absence, notched two assists.

Head coach Paul Maurice reached a significant milestone, surpassing Barry Trotz to claim the second spot on the NHL’s all-time games coached list with 1,813 games behind the bench. Maurice reflected on the achievement, emphasizing the significance of the accomplishment and acknowledging the support of his family.

The Panthers’ penalty kill and power play were instrumental in their victory, with Reinhart scoring his team-leading 35th goal on the power play. Sergei Bobrovsky, the Panthers’ goaltender, made 31 saves and played a crucial role in maintaining the three-goal cushion.

Tkachuk continued his outstanding form, scoring his 14th goal of the season with a far-side shot in the second period. With 21 points since January 1st, Tkachuk leads the NHL in scoring during this period.

The Panthers demonstrated their dominance with goals from Anton Lundell and Jonah Gadjovich, securing a 6-0 lead.

Although the Coyotes managed to score two goals late in the game, the Panthers’ lead proved insurmountable. Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley found the back of the net for Arizona, but it was not enough to overcome the Panthers’ commanding performance.

Panthers players echoed their satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the positive energy and camaraderie in the locker room. Tkachuk praised coach Maurice, highlighting his impact on player development and team success. The Panthers’ success and unity were evident on the ice, making this victory a memorable one for the team and their fans this season.

With an impressive record since December 23rd, going 11-2-2, the Panthers are tied for first in the NHL with 24 points in that duration of time. Looking ahead, the Panthers will face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night at 7:00 P.M. EST, aiming to continue their winning streak and maintain their strong positioning within the league.