The Florida Panthers held full team practice at Amerant Bank Arena on Jan. 21. The Florida Panthers snapped a four-game winless streak on Monday night in Nashville, and they did it playing a familiar style of grinding hockey. With their fathers in attendance at Bridgestone Arena, the Panthers scored the first goal and never trailed, defeating the Predators 3-1. The majority of the first period was played in the Nashville end, with Florida outshooting the home team 14-4, with shot attempts tilted toward the Cats by the wide margin of 27-9. Even though he only faced four shots, two of the saves made by Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who was starting in place of Sergei Bobrovsky, were of the high danger variety. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Florida briefly held the lead midway through the second period thanks to a glorious individual effort by who else by Sam Reinhart. He drove to Nashville’s net directly off a left side faceoff and shoveled the puck past a (probably) surprised Juuse Saros to put the Panthers up 1-0. Just 57 seconds later, Jeremy Lauzon’s point shot hit a screened Stolarz but fluttered into the net, giving the Preds a goal on only their 11th shot. That’s how the score would remain until the opening moments of the third period. Carter Verhaeghe scored his 24th goal of the season on a play where he cut across the top of the Predators zone before snapping a shot past Saros’ blocker to put the Cats back in front. The save of the game came courtesy of Stolarz. With Nashville on the power play, Stolarz got his glove on a backhand by Gustav Nyquist despite already being on the ice. Stolarz was brilliant for Florida, stonewalling the Predators and helping the Cats kill three consecutive power plays during the third period. A pair of empty net goals by Brandon Montour and Matthew Tkachuk cemented the victory for the Cats. They’ll be back on home ice Wednesday to face the Arizona Coyotes. Here are some thoughts and observations from Monday’s matchup with the Preds: Florida’s penalty kill came up huge, going 5-for-5 including the aforementioned three in a row during the final frame. That’s a big time bounce back performance after the rough night on Friday against Minnesotsa. Reinhart’s points streak is now up to 10 games with his goal against the Preds. He’s got 11 goals and 14 points during the run. Not only did Stolarz finish with 27 saves, but he stopped all 10 high danger shots Nashville sent his way. Don’t be surprised to see Florida roll with the hot hand for another game or two if Stolarz keeps this up. Tkachuk scored his first goal in five games, giving him eight goals and 20 points over his past 12 games. Verhaeghe is up to five game winning goals this season, a new career high. He’s up to 24 tallies and 46 points through 46 games. It’s almost a crime to mention the third member of that line, Sam Bennett, last, considering he finished with three assists. Bennett now has five goals and 11 points over his past 11 outings. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Florida going through some ‘good adversity’ during four-game losing streak [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/florida-going-through-some-good-adversity-during-four-game-losing-streak-] Without their captain, Panthers in Nashville aiming to end losing streak [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/without-their-captain-panthers-in-nashville-aiming-to-end-losing-streak] Sasha Barkov to miss third straight game, will not travel to Nashville [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sasha-barkov-to-miss-third-straight-game-will-not-travel-to-nashville] Recent success of Anton Lundell to be tested when he's moved off Panthers top line [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/recent-success-of-anton-lundell-to-be-tested-when-hes-moved-off-panthers-top-line] Panthers forward Will Lockwood suspended 3 games for 'reckless' hit on Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-forward-will-lockwood-suspended-3-games-for-reckless-hit-on-wild-goalie-marc-andre-fleury] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
