The Florida Panthers surged ahead with a 4-1 lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, highlighted by a deflection goal from Matthew Tkachuk and a power play goal by NHL All-Star Sam Reinhart, assisted by Tkachuk. The Panthers' power play was effective, going 3 for 5, while their penalty kill was perfect at 5-for-5. The Golden Knights struggled, especially on the penalty kill, and fans began leaving as the deficit grew. Despite two 5-on-3 chances, the Golden Knights couldn't score. Carter Verhaeghe also found the net, adding to the Panthers' lead by the end of the second period. The Golden Knights' performance was lackluster, with a need for a goal to energize the home crowd. The Panthers' consistent pressure and precision passing, along with strong goaltending, left the Golden Knights with a significant challenge to overcome in the remaining 20 minutes of play.
#FlaPanthers PK is 5-for-5 tonight.
The failed 5-on-3 killed VGK tonight. They were the better team before it, they've been far and away second best since.
Bob 🧱 on fire https://t.co/d6ZsrN8VF1
This is the 10th time VGK have allowed 3 power play goals against in the game game. Assuming they lose this one, they'll be 2-8-0 in those games. Second time it has happened this season. At Carolina in December.
Shell shocked in Vegas. #Panthers came to play. Zero energy in the building. None. #VGK need a cheap goal quick!
Important period coming up for the Kings‼️ @LAKings l #GoKingsGo https://t.co/F5a14dQyXZ
#FlaPanthers going right back to the power play after Lomberg takes a high stick to the face with 14:12 to go.
Pachal and Lomberg have been going at it all night. This time Pachal gets called and VGK will go shorthanded, where they've been a disaster, for the 6th time tonight.
Panthers use precision passing to score another PP goal and it's Florida 4 VGK 1 in the third. Vegas is toast. Florida on the PP again.
Sam Reinhart bangs home a power play goal off of a feed from Tkachuk. 4-1 Panthers.
Sam Reinhart gets yet another power play goal and the #FlaPanthers lead Vegas 4-1 with 14:37 left.
VGK's recognition on the PK has been so slow today. Yes, you are short a man so there has to be someone uncovered, but that guy can't be Tkachuk in front of the goal.
THAT'S #NHLALLSTAR SAM REINHART TO YOU https://t.co/RS6jI74lMo
That might do it. Reinhart from Tkachuk. Third power-play goal of the night for Florida. 4-1, and fans are heading for the exits.
Matthew Tkachuk is destroying Vegas. He just made a ridiculous pass to Reinhart in the slot for another power play goal. Panthers are 3 for 5 on the PP tonight, lead 4-1.
we, 4-1, hate what the scoreboard looks like rn
Thompson comes up with a big save on a Tkachuk backhander, but the #FlaPanthers are heading back to the PP 4:27 into the third.
Need a goal to wake this place up! @GoldenKnights #VegasBorn
All 2️⃣s https://t.co/OUVLUKrm73
Third period is underway. #FlaPanthers up 3-1.
20 more minutes to flip the script here
One more! 📋 3-1, us 📺 @ballypanthers 📻 @560WQAM #TimeToHunt https://t.co/keD6K87hVz
📈 through 40! https://t.co/i4UfJ5Ldug
Panthers pounce on top by a 2-goal margin as Carter Verhaeghe scores on Thompson in final minutes of the 2nd. VGK will need to climb out of a 3-1 hole in the 3rd to earn their first win of 2024.
End of 2: Panthers 3, Golden Knights 1 Florida outshot Vegas 14-5 in a second period where the Golden Knights had two chances at a 5-on-3 and didn't score. Just nothing going right.
End of the second, 3-1 Florida. The Panthers skated the Golden Knights out of the building In the second period.
Golden Knights allow a 6-on-4 PP goal by Tkachuk but hold off the Panthers through the rest of a 4-minute PK caused by two penalties on Whitecloud. VGK trails Florida 2-1 late in the 2nd.
And the Panthers convert. Matthew Tkachuk on the deflection. Golden Knights once again couldn't clear, even after a great save by Thompson seconds prior. 2-1 Florida
The Panthers committed three penalties in a three-minute span, and the Golden Knights had a 5-on-3 twice. They did not score.
Kings and Red Wings are underway!