Bobrovsky backstops Panthers to 3-1 win over reeling Penguins
Before the game, Florida honored the career and accomplishments of Patric Hornqvist
Another tough, grinding win was a great way for the Florida Panthers to wrap up their homestead, and that’s exactly what they got on Friday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With excellent goaltending and timely scoring, Florida sent the packed house at Amernat Bank Arena home happy, defeating the Penguins 3-1.
Before the puck dropped, the Panthers held a special ceremony to honor the career and accomplishments of Patric Hornqvist.
Hornqvist was on the ice, along with his wife and two young daughters, while a touching tribute video played on the video screens above.
He then dropped the puck on the game’s ceremonial faceoff, with former teammates Sasha Barkov and Sidney Crosby there to take the draw.
The goaltending was the story for much of the game, with both Tristan Jarry and Sergei Bobrovsky making a pair of high danger saves in a scoreless first period.
Former Panther Reilly Smith opened the scoring nearly midway through the second period after Evgeni Malkin found him alone behind the Florida defense. A quick move to the backhand opened up Bobrovsky’s five hole enough for Smith to slide the puck over the goal line and give the Pens a 1-0 lead.
A late period Panthers power play would lead to the game-tying goal, though it came a few moments after the Pens penalty expired.
The rebound from a quick shot by Carter Verhaeghe trickled behind Jarry and Oliver Ekman-Larsson was right there to smoothly poke the puck home.
An offensive zone draw a few minutes into the second would lead to Florida’s first lead of the night.
Evan Rodrigues fired a shot on Jarry and Eetu Luostarinen was at the top of the crease to slam home the bouncing rebound.
Not a minute later Bobrovsky was called upon to make a sprawling right pad save on Crosby to keep Florida ahead, but this was a night where the Cats’ tendy was in the zone.
An empty net goal from Barkov following another strong penalty kill by the Cats would cement the victory.
Here are some thoughts and observations from Friday’s battle with the Pens:
Florida held the Penguins to just five third period shots.
Bobrovsky stopped seven of eight high danger shots. He was excellent.
Florida went a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Pittsburgh is now riding a rough 0-37 stretch on the power play.
With an assist, Rodrigues is up to 8 points over his past four games.
Also with an assist, Verhaeghe now has 7 points in his past six games.
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