Panthers Blanked By Senators

     The Florida Panthers were shut out by the Ottawa Senators at Canadiens Tire Centre on Saturday. Florida(44-28-4) have a 0-3-1 record in their last four contests. 

     The Panthers clinched a Stanley Cup Playoffs position for a club-record six consecutive season with a Columbus Blue Jackets loss tonight. The Cats will be making their 11th postseason appearance in franchise history. 

     The Senators are two wins away from reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Florida were blanked for the first time since December 28 in Sunrise against the Montreal Canadiens.

     Ottawa(41-29-6) came out with two goals during the opening fame for a 2-0 lead. Jake Sanderson released a snap shot from the left-circle dot with 8:39 to go in the first period. Drake Batherson followed on the power play with a redirected shot from the crease area past Sergei Bobrovsky with 5:43 left in the first for his 22nd goal of the season. 

     The Panthers pulled their goalie for an extra attacker late in the final period. The Sens got an empty-net tally from Matthew Highmore from the slot area with 2:20 remaining in the third for his second goal this year.