The Panthers clawed back from a late deficit, snatching a victory away from Columbus with timely power play heroics.
The Florida Panthers are starting to string some wins together, hoping that their effort is not too little, too late.
Florida once again had to come from behind, erasing a third-period deficit and taking down the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in overtime on Thursday night in Sunrise.
It was a quiet evening on the scoreboard, with both teams struggling to light the lamp until well into the night.
Columbus finally got on the board just over 13 minutes into the second period.
After a failed Florida 2-on-1 attempt while killing the final seconds off a Donovan Sebrango interference penalty, the Blue Jackets took advantage of the quick transition and went on an odd-man rush of their own.
Entering Florida’s zone on a 3-on-1, Adam Fantilli carried the puck into the right circle and instead of passing, wound up and fired a shot that went past Sergei Bobrovsky and into the net with 6:59 remaining in the middle frame.
The Blue Jackets carried that lead into the third period, but an early power play for Florida led to the game-tying tally.
A shot by Sam Reinhart was partially blocked and ended up hitting Sam Benentt in the chest at the back post.
Bennett quickly swatted the puck into the back of the net, knotting the score at one at the 1:28 mark of the final frame.
That’s how the score would remain through the end of regulation.
Florida would pick up the bonus point during overtime, once again cashing in on the power play.
The play started with the puck on the stick of rookie Mike Benning, who was playing in his first NHL game.
Benning fed Matthew Tkachuk in the right circle, and his centering pass went through the slot and all the way to Sam Reinhart at the goal line.
Reinhart saw an opening and fired a sharp-angle shot past a sprawling Elvis Merzlikins, giving Florida their third straight victory.
For Benning, he picked up his first NHL point on the game-winning goal in his first NHL game.
Not too shabby.
On to Seattle.
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Photo caption: Dec 6, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) makes a save on a shot tipped by Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)