Panthers Streak By Predators

     The Florida Panthers outpaced the Nashville Predators 4-1 at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday night. The Panthers extended their winning streak to seven games. Both clubs played in the realigned South Division last season due to coronavirus pandemic circumstances. 

     Florida(51-15-6) leaped to a 1-0 lead at the 3:43 mark of the first period. Carter Verhaeghe chalked up his 22nd goal of the season on assists from Brandon Montour and Gustav Forsling. 

     Nashville(41-26-4) got their only tally in the contest at 5:52 and made it 1-1. Ryan Johansen put in his 22nd goal of the campaign. 

     The Panthers regained the lead 2-1 with 4:44 remaining in the second period. Anton Lundell got his 16th goal of the year. Sam Reinhart and Ben Chiarot ended up with the assists on the play. 

     In the third period, the Cats extended it to a three-goal margin. Jonathan Huberdeau buried his 28th goal of the season with 1:07 left in the frame. Aleksander Barkov and MacKenzie Weegar picked up the assists on the setup. Huberdeau expanded his point streak up to 11 games with the goal. 

     It became 4-1 for Florida with 50 seconds to go in the third. Forsling found the net for the sixth time this season with an unassisted tally.