Panthers Shoot Down Coyotes

     The Florida Panthers pushed by the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 at Mullett Arena on Tuesday night in their first contest of the 2024 calendar year. It was the second time that the Panthers played at that new venue. The Cats began a four-game road trip against Western Conference foes. 

     The Panthers have won five consecutive games. The Coyotes have been victorious in six of their last eight contests. 

     Aleksander Barkov passed Jonathan Huberdeau with his 416th career assist for the most in Florida Panthers franchise history. Barkov now holds the team records for most career goals, assists, points and games played. 

     Florida(23-12-2) pulled out to a 1-0 lead with 9:14 remaining in the first period. Carter Verhaeghe placed in his 19th goal this season on a wrist shot from the inner right circle. Neither team was able score during the second frame. 

     Arizona(19-15-2) evened it up 1-1 at the 3:17 mark of the third period. Alexander Kerfoot put in a shorthanded goal from the low slot for his fifth tally of the campaign. Former Panther player Lawson Crouse had the only assist with the feed. 

     In the third period, the Panthers scored twice in a 42- second span and had a 3-1 advantage. Sam Reinhart tipped in his 24th goal from the crease area on the power play at 7:56. Barkov and Verhaeghe were credited with assists on the play. Matthew Tkachuk was given his sixth goal in 2023-24 at 8:38 of the third when the Coyotes got an own goal. 

     It became a three-goal margin for Florida with 2:21 left in the third period. Gustav Forsling added an empty-net tally for his fifth goal.