Mr. Clutch is at it Again! Florida Panthers Game Recap — Game 43 @ Dallas Stars:
The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, and the Florida Panthers now have a solidified lineup as they look towards the post-season. Their new acquisitions haven’t been able to join the team yet, either due to traveling or COVID requirements, but they should be joining the lineup by the weekend. Tonight though, Florida would play the Stars once again in Dallas, looking to end their current three-game losing skid. The Panthers would elect to go with Chris Driedger in net, while Dallas would start Anton Khudobin.
From the opening puck drop you could tell that this Florida Panthers team was playing with a rejuvenated energy that was completely different than their last game against the Stars. The Panthers were pressing early, and earned themselves a couple Power Play opportunities as a result. They wouldn’t score on these Power Plays (and would even take a penalty themselves during one to create a 4-on-4), but they were getting as close as you could without scoring. Khudobin wouldn’t be able to hold off the Panthers press for long, as Aleksander Barkov would score his 18th goal of the season, right as the 4-on-4 play was ending, to put the Panthers ahead 1–0. The goal was assisted by Markus Nutivaara (4) and Jonathan Huberdeau (29).
The joy would be short-lived for the Panthers however, as Dallas Stars rookie forward Jason Robertson remains red-hot against the Panthers, and scores his 12th goal of the season at 12:42. Robertson’s goal was assisted by Jamie Benn (14) and John Klingberg (21). The Panthers’ lead lasted 52 seconds, not ideal when you’re trying to end a three-game losing streak. There would be some back-and-forth play from these teams for the rest of the first period, but neither side could score again before the horn would sound. The Panthers would head into the first intermission tied 1–1.
Florida’s strong puck possession this game would continue on early in the second period, and would lead to a couple solid chances against Khudobin. The Panthers would break through again, this time it was Radko Gudas scoring his first goal of the season off of a weird deflection from a Stars’ player’s stick. In this league all goals are equal no matter how they’re scored so Gudas will take it, and it was assisted by Keith Yandle (19) and Anthony Duclair (13).
The Panthers would do a better job in this period to ward off the Dallas attack, and Gudas’ deflection goal would be the only one of the period. The Panthers would head into the final period with a 2–1 lead. The Panthers are 19–1–1 this season when leading after two periods, so if they were going to end the losing streak then this was the game to do it.
Dallas would not make it easy on Florida during the final period however. Driedger would have to make some incredible stops on some dangerous chances for the Stars, before unfortunately Dallas would tie the game again off the stick of Joe Pavelski. It would be Pavelski’s 16th goal of the season, scored at 8:26 in the third period and assisted by Jason Robertson (17) and Jamie Benn (15). The Panthers would need either a late goal, or this game was going to require overtime to decide a winner. Dallas almost made sure the game would end in regulation, as Driedger had to make one of the most amazing saves in the entire league so far this season off of a funny deflection in front of him. The puck would bounce off of a Florida player’s skate and would slide towards an empty net, however Driedger was able to get his paddle on the puck right before it crossed the goal-line and was able to cover it up. It is a save you just have to see, because words don’t do it justice:
Driedger would make a couple more impressive saves to ensure that this game would reach overtime, and the final horn would sound with a tie game of 2–2. Florida wouldn’t mind obtaining at least a point, but they were looking for the full two. Dallas is the team to face if you want to win during the overtime period, as they are 2–11 during OT/SO, and the Panthers are 7–4 after 60 minutes.
Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn would take a bad tripping penalty against Florida’s Anthony Duclair in overtime to give the Panthers two minutes of 4-on-3 play. The Panthers’ Power Play hadn’t cashed in all night, but they wouldn’t let that stop them this time. Frank Vatrano would score his 14th goal of the season, this time on the Power Play at 3:09 into the overtime period. The goal would be assisted by Gustav Forsling (7) and Mackenzie Weegar (22).
Frank Vatrano scores another clutch moment goal, this one a game-winner for his 14th of the season at 3:09 into overtime. Assisted by Forsling (7) and Weegar (22):
The Florida Panthers would win a very hard-fought game against the Stars, and with the win they keep pace with Tampa Bay and Carolina for the top spot of the Central Division. Florida is now in a three-way tie with Tampa and Carolina for first place, each with 58 points in the standings.
The Three Stars from tonight’s game:
- Frank Vatrano, RW/LW (FLA): 1 goal (GWG in OT)
- Chris Driedger, G (FLA): 24 saves on 26 shots, W
- Jamie Benn, LW (DAL): 2 assists
Hopefully Florida is able to ride the momentum from this victory into the next game, because their next and final stop on this road trip is into Tampa Bay to face the always-dangerous Lightning. Florida will play a two-game set against the Lightning, with the first game being on Thursday, Apr. 15th. That game is set to start at 7 p.m. ET, and the game will also nationally be televised on NBCSN. It is a great opportunity for the Panthers to show fans around the league what this team is truly capable of.
