Florida has won five straight games for the second time this season

The Florida Panthers wrapped up a though stretch of three games in four nights when they welcomed the Montreal Canadiens to Sunrise on Saturday night.

Florida’s last game of 2023 would provide the team a positive boost heading into the New Year, as they took down the Canadiens 4-1.

The first period moved quickly, with few whistles or shots on goal; Montreal had five while Florida, which entered the game averaging the second-most shots per game in the NHL, managed only four.

An early second period power play for Florida would led to the game’s first goal.

Standing in front of Habs goalie Jake Allen, Eetu Luostarienen deflected a shot by Evan Rodrigues and then batted the deflected puck out of midair and past Allen, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead.

The advantage would be short lived though, as Cole Caufield picked up a power play tally of his own, roofing a backhand from in tight on Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

As the game moved through the third period, both teams were having difficulty generating much offense.

That was until Joel Armia was called for roughing Oliver Ekman-Larsson in Florida’s end, giving the Cats their third power play of the night.

Once again it would be Luostarinen capitalizing from down low, driving from the corner to the front of the net and sending a backhand past Allen to put Florida back in front 2-1.

The Panthers picked up an insurance goal late in the third period when Sam Bennett tipped a point shot by Oliver Ekman-Larsson over Allen’s glove.

Carter Verhaeghe would add his 18th goal of the year after Montreal pulled Allen for an extra attacker, and that would be all the Cats needed to polish off their fourth straight win to close out 2023.

See you next year!

Here are some thoughts and observations from Saturday’s battle with the Habs:

Florida has matched a season high with its fifth win in a row.

This was the first time in his career that Luostarinen has scored multiple goals in a game.

Both of Luostarinen’s goals came on the power play, the fifth straight game Florida has scored on special teams.

The Cats perfect penalty kill streak ended at 14.

Reinhart extended his points streak to four games with an assist on Eetu’s first goal. He’s got six points (5-1-6) over that span.

Florida allowed only six even strength shots through 40 minutes. 

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