Predators Shut Out Panthers

     The Florida Panthers were blanked by the Nashville Predators 3-0 at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday night. It was the first time that the Panthers wore white jerseys at home for a regular season game since their final contest during the 2002-03 campaign against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 6, 2003. 

     The Panthers had a rare four-day break prior to tonight's contest. They have been shut out in wo of their last three games. The Cats will visit the New York Rangers on Saturday night. 

     The Predators are now 14-0-2 in their last 16 games. They have not been on a roll like this since the 2016-17 regular season.  

     Nashville(41-25-4) scooted out to a 1-0 lead with 2:13 remaining in the first period. Gustav Nyquist placed in a wrist shot by Sergei Bobrovsky from the blue paint for his 19th goal of the campaign. Filip Forsberg and Ryan O'Reilly chalked up assists on the play. 

     In the second period, the Preds made it 2-0 with the man advantage at the 7:32 mark. Roman Josi set up the tally from the left point. Tyson Barrie shot the puck from the right point and Forsberg deflected it in from close range to get his 37th goal of the season. 

     Florida(45-20-4) surrendered another goal with 5:41 left in the third period and trailed 3-0. Nyquist flipped a backhand pass from the right wing and Forsberg poked in a shot from the top of the crease for his second tally of the contest and 38th goal in 2023-24.