Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) moves the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/c4d010b7-a990-459e-8ca3-2c6b4a73e9c3.jpeg] Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) moves the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images) The Florida Panthers looked great from start to finish on Thursday night in Sunrise. Hosting the playoff hopeful Columbus Blue Jackets, who are hungry for every point they can get, Florida controlled play for what felt like the entire game and came away with a convincing 3-0 victory. It didn’t take long for the Panthers to strike first, and it came off the first penalty of the game. With Florida on an early power play, the puck found its way from Aaron Ekblad to Sasha Barkov to Sam Reinhart between the circles, and he quickly spun around and fired a shot that eluded Elvis Merzlikins’ blocker and snuck just inside the far post. Columbus challenged the goal because they thought the puck may have hit the protective netting above the glass, but replays proved to be inconclusive, so Florida kept the 1-0 lead and went right back on the power play. Overall, from the early stages of the game onward, the puck possession was dominated by the Panthers. Only the brilliant play of Merzlikins in goal kept the score close. It wasn’t until the second period that Florida would extend their lead, and once again it was on the power play. A long shot by Sasha Barkov was stopped by Merzlikins but rookie Mackie Samoskevich was right there on the doorstep waiting for the rebound. Samoskevich’s sixth shot of the game, which tied a career high set earlier this season, sailed into the net to give the Cats a 2-0 lead that they would take into the third period. Sasha Barkov added an empty-net goal, giving him a three-point night and Florida a fifth straight win. On to the Sabres. QUICK THOUGHTS Sergei Bobrovsky finished with 16 saves, earning his fourth shutout of the season. For the first time in his NHL career, Samoskevich is riding a three-game point streak. Samoskevich has logged four goals and an assist over his past seven games. He also finished Thursday’s game with a new career high of seven shots on goal. Reinhart’s goal was his first in eight games. He also logged a pair of assists, giving him 14 points over his past 12 games. Barkov logged his third multi-point outing in his past five games. He has 18 points over his past 12 games overall, dating back to late January. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Vitek Vanecek arrives, Kaapo Kahkonen acquired as Panthers remodel goaltending stable [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/vitek-vanecek-arrives-kaapo-kahkonen-acquired-as-panthers-remodel-goaltending-stable] Florida Panthers acquire center Nico Sturm from San Jose [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/florida-panthers-acquire-center-nico-sturm-from-san-jose] Panthers aim for fifth straight win as playoff hopeful Columbus arrives in Sunrise [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-aim-for-fifth-straight-win-as-playoff-hopeful-columbus-arrives-in-sunrise] Panthers continue fortifying roster, sign forward Jesper Boqvist to 2-year extension [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/panthers-continue-fortifying-roster-sign-forward-jesper-boqvist-to-2-year-extension] Florida Panthers sign Jesse Puljujarvi to 1-year, 2-way contract after stint with AHL affiliate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-sign-jesse-puljujarvi-to-1-year-2-way-contract-after-stint-with-ahl-affiliate]
