Panthers Get By Blue Jackets

     The Florida Panthers passed by the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in overtime at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday night. Panthers defenseman Mike Benning made his NHL debut. His father Brian Benning participated with Florida during their first two seasons in franchise history in 1993-94 and 1994-95. They became the third father-son tandem to play for the team. 

     The Panthers closed to nine points from eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Cats will begin a four-game road trip on Sunday and not return to Sunrise until March 24. 

     After no scoring in the opening frame. Columbus(33-21-11) took a 1-0 lead with 6:59 remaining in second period. Mason Marchment sent a lead pass from his own zone. Adam Fantilli released a wrist shot from the right-circle dot past Sergei Bobrovsky for his 19th goal of the season.

     Florida(33-29-3) evened it up 1-1 with the man advantage at the 1:28 mark of the third period. Mackie Samoskevich pushed the puck from the top left circle. Sam Reinhart centered it from the left goal line and Sam Bennett steered a forehand shot from the right side of the crease for his 24th goal of the campaign. 

     In overtime, the Panthers won the game on the power play at 2:19. Benning sent a cross-ice pass from the top left circle and Matthew Tkachuk made a diagonal pass from the top right circle. Reinhart snapped a shot from below the left circle for his 29th goal in 2025-26. Benning collected his first NHL assist and first NHL point on the play.