Ducks Paddle By Panthers

     The Florida Panthers were defeated by the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime at Honda Center on Sunday night. The Cats will complete their four-game road swing on Tuesday at the Los Angeles Kings. 

     Brad Marchand made his season debut with the Panthers. It turned out to be the home opener for the Ducks. 

     Anaheim(2-0-0) scooted out to a 1-0 on the power play with 3:42 remaining in the first period. Leo Carlsson cycled the puck from the right wing and Jackson LeCombe sent a cross-ice pass from the right point. Cutter Gauthier released a snap shot from above the left circle past Jacob Markstrom for his first goal of the season. 

     Florida(1-0-2) evened it up 1-1 with 2:51 to go in the first. Matthew Tkachuk centered the puck from the end wall off a Ducks giveaway and Sam Bennett took a shot from the crease area which was saved. Carter Verhaeghe poked in the rebound from the top of the crease by Lukas Dostal for his first goal of the campaign. 

     The Ducks reclaimed the lead 2-1 just 47 seconds into the second period on the man advantage. Carlsson pushed the puck from the left point and Beckett Sennecke angled a pass from below the left circle. Gauthier snapped a shot from the high slot for his second tally of the contest. 

     In the third period, the Panthers tied it 2-2 with 1:50 left after they pulled their goalie for an extra skater. Lars Eller skated with the puck top the top of the zone, shot the puck and it was stopped in front. Marchand placed in a forehand shot from the right side of the crease for his first goal this season. 

     Anaheim won the game with 45.4 seconds remaining in overtime on a 4-on-3 power-play goal. Gauthier zipped a pass from above the right circle. Carlsson centered a pass from the right goal line and Mikael Granlund tapped in the puck from the top of the crease for his first goal in 2026-27.