Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour speaks after Florida's 4-1 win in Philadelphia on March 24. Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart entered some rare air on Sunday night in Philadelphia. Reinhart lit the lamp twice, increasing his total to an impressive 50 goals on the season. Florida was leading 3-1 late in the game when Flyers head coach summoned goaltender Felix Sandstrom to the bench for an extra attacker. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Reinhart’s defensive zone clearing attempt nearly rolled into the empty net but instead slid into the corner. Eetu Luostarinen hustled to the puck and negated any icing call, holding the puck in the corner before spotting Reinhart cutting into the Flyers’ zone. A perfect backhand pass found Reinhart’s stick and he made no mistake, sending the puck into the yawning cage. “It’s pretty cool,” Reinhart told Bally Sports Florida’s Katie Engleson after the game. “That’s a number I never really thought about." Only one other player in the 30 years of Florida Panthers history had reached the 50-goal plateau. That was the Russian Rocket, Pavel Bure, who scored 58 and 59 goals in consecutive seasons for the Panthers back in 2000 and 2001. “It’s such an elite class,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said. “There are very few people who have scored 50 whose names you don’t know.” As for Reinhart, his amazing career season just continues to get better. He’s now up to a career high 83 points through 71 games this season. His previous best was 82 points that he put up during Florida’s Presidents’ Trophy-winning season two years ago. Before this season, Reinhart’s high mark in goal scoring was 33, which came during that 82-point campaign. During his three seasons with the Panthers, Reinhart has scored 33, 31 and now 50 goals (and counting). "Certainly, (I’ve been) the recipient of being put in some very good positions this year playing with some very good players," Reinhart said. Before arriving in South Florida, his high mark in Buffalo, where he spent the first six season of his career, was 25 goals, which he reached twice. What’s particularly extraordinary about Reinhart’s 50-goal season is that he’s done it while playing high-end defensive hockey. His advanced metrics have been off the charts all year and five of his 50 goals are shorthanded. “That tells you he’s playing both sides of the puck,” Maurice said. “There’s some guys who scored 50 who couldn’t find their own end.” It's quite a luxury for a head coach to have a player who you know can deliver in a big moment late in a game, regardless of which end of the ice he's needed on. As exhilarating and exciting as it was to see Reinhart hit such an exceptional milestone, he and the Panthers still have quite a bit of work ahead of them. Following Sunday’s win, Florida sits in a tie with the Boston Bruins atop the Atlantic Division standings with 97 points apiece. The Metropolitian Division-leading New York Rangers hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 98 points. The Panthers and Rangers have 11 games remaining while Boston has 10. Reinhart, who has now scored 11 goals over his past 12 games, will play a big role in Florida’s push for the top spot in the East. “Sam is a battler and a team-first player,” Maurice said. “We’re just so fortunate to have him.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Reinhart, Stolarz shine as Panthers win 4-1 in Philadelphia [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/reinhart-stolarz-shine-as-panthers-win-4-1-in-philadelphia] Panthers still putting up great fight with multiple players out [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-still-putting-up-great-fight-with-multiple-players-out-] Ex-Panther Alex Lyon loses 8th straight start for Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/ex-panther-alex-lyon-loses-8th-straight-start-for-red-wings] Three takeaways: Despite missing several regulars, Panthers play best game in weeks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-despite-missing-several-regulars-panthers-play-best-game-in-weeks] Panthers look to end 4 game losing streak as they take on the Flyers Sunday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-look-to-end-4-game-losing-streak-as-they-take-on-the-flyers-sunday] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
