Panthers Stop Undefeated Blues

     The Florida Panthers welcomed the hottest team in the National Hockey League and shocked the St. Louis Blues 5-2 at BB&T Center on Thursday night. The Panthers had not played a game in the last five days while the Blues had their four-game winning streak snapped to start this season. Roberto Luongo tied Curtis Joseph for fourth all-time in NHL history with 454 wins as a goalie.
     In the first period, Florida(2-1-0) had the seven unanswered shots to begin the contest. St. Louis(4-1-0) killed two early penalties and had no shot on goal until 9:15 left in the first period.
     The Blues were able to convert on their second power play at 1:14 of the second period. Vladamir Tarasenko passed the puck from the right wing to Paul Stastny to the right of the crease. He spun and put a wrist shot by Luongo.
     The Panthers answered back quickly 12 seconds later to tie it 1-1. Connor Brickley made a cross-ice pass from the right side to the left point. Ian McCoshen snapped a shot past Jake Allen for his first NHL goal.
     Florida then scored a shorthanded goal on the Blues third power play. Vincent Trocheck brought the puck into the St. Louis zone and scored on a snap shot from the slot area at 2:45.
     Momentum continued for Florida as they expanded their margin to 3-1 at the 7:42 mark on their third power play. Radim Vrbata made a slap pass from the top left circle to the middle and Jared McCann redirected the puck into the cage.
     The third period came and the Panthers extended the lead to 4-1. Aleksander Barkov fired a shot from the low left circle which was saved by Allen. Jonathan Huberdeau swept the rebound from the top of the crease to Aaron Ekblad on the right side of the crease and he lifted a wrist shot into the top of the Blues net at 3:16.
     Florida added an insurance goal with 5:58 left. McCann carried the puck out of the Cats zone to center ice. He sent an outlet pass to his right, Nick Bjugstad skated through the right circle and scored on a wrist shot. St. Louis got a goal by Mitch Dunn with 1:09 remaining in the game.