Panthers hold full team practice on Jan. 1 in Fort Lauderdale. The Florida Panthers battled a tough Pittsburgh Penguins team on Friday night at Amerant Bank Arena. Strong play in goal by Spencer Knight and a pair of shootout goals pushed the Panthers to a slim 3-2 victory over the Pens. Florida controlled play for much of the first period, until Sam Reinhart took a four-minute double minor for high sticking when Ryan Graves lifted Reinahrt’s stick into his own face. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Goaltender Spencer Knight stood tall, stopping four shots during the penalty kill and keeping the Penguins off the scoreboard, with 13 total saves during the first period. After a scoreless opening frame, it didn’t take the Panthers long to pick up the game’s first goal once the second stanza began. Gus Forsling took a couple steps in from the Penguins blue line and wired a wrist shot over Tristan Jarry’s glove to put the Cats up 1-0 at the 36 second mark. A second four-minute power play would pay off for the Penguins. With A.J. Greer in the penalty box for high sticking, Sidney Crosby scored right off the ensuing faceoff to tie the game at one. Matthew Tkachuk spent 12 consecutive minutes in the penalty box after being called for a misconduct as a result of a post-whistle dustup, but when he came out, he made sure everyone was aware. With Florida on the power play, Tkachuk deflected a shot by Carter Verhaeghe past Jarry to give Florida a 2-1 lead on his very first shift out of the box. Sam Bennett was called for roughing after a hit to the head of Drew O’Connor, and the Penguins made Florida pay. On their seventh man advantage and with Jarry on the bench for an extra attacker, Rickard Rakell one-timed a shot through Knight to tie the game with just 41 seconds on the clock. Six shots, at least two goal posts and nonstop action filled the five-minute overtime session, but both Knight and Jarry would continue to come up big, leading to a shootout. Goals by Lundell and Reinhart would be enough to give Florida the bonus point after Knight stopped both Rackell and Crosby. Knight finished with 29 saves, including nine of the 10 high dangers shots Pittsburgh sent his way. On to Colorado. QUICK THOUGHTS Sasha Barkov’s assist on Forsling’s goal was just his second point over the past five games. Similarly, Sam Reinhart’s assist on the Gus goal was his first point in five games. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Tkachuk’s goal was his first point in five games. Carter Verhaeghe, who had the primary assist on Tkachuk’s goal, logged his first point in seven games. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Three takeaways: Poor start hampers Panthers, controversial game-winning goal not worth challenging [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-poor-start-hampers-panthers-controversial-game-winning-goal-not-worth-challenging] Panthers come up short against Kochetkov, Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-come-up-short-against-kochetkov-hurricanes] Panthers host Hurricanes looking for first victory of 2025 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-host-hurricanes-looking-for-first-victory-of-2025] Rookie Mackie Samoskevich promoted to Panthers top power play unit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/rookie-mackie-samoskevich-promoted-to-panthers-top-power-play-unit] Happy New Year! 2025 could be another banner year for Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/happy-new-year-2025-could-be-another-banner-year-for-florida-panthers] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
