Verhaeghe compiled his third career hat trick in the National Hockey League. He joined Pavel Bure as the only players in Florida Panthers franchise history with at least 40 goals in a season. Bure won the Rocket Richard Trophy twice with 58 goals in 1999-2000 and 59 goals in 2000-01.
The Panthers concluded a four-game road swing as they chalked up their second-largest shutout victory in franchise history. They are 5-2-1 in their last eight contests. The Blue Jackets shared the worst mark in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Blackhawks as both had 54 points each entering this contest.
Florida(39-31-7) raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first period. Sam Reinhart scored on the power play with his 29th goal this season with 7:57 remaining on assists from Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov.
Verhaeghe added his 37th goal of the season with 2:31 to go in the period. Barkov picked up his 50th assist of the campaign during that play. It was the third time in Barkov's NHL career that he has reached the 50-assist plateau.
The Cats moved out to a 3-0 lead just 18 seconds into the second period. Verhaeghe placed in his second tally of the contest. Aaron Ekblad and Anthony Duclair were credited with assists on the goal.
It became 4-0 for Florida at the 6:34 mark of the second as Verhaeghe completed the national hat trick with his third goal of the game and 39th goal of the campaign.
Columbus(23-44-8) surrendered three more goals during the third period and trailed by seven goals. Nick Cousins(eighth goal), Verhaeghe(40th goal) and Eric Staal(14th goal) found the net for the Panthers.
No comments:
Post a Comment