Nate Schmidt (© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/64ab1612-af1c-4834-8ec8-c368f5f48c4f.jpeg] Nate Schmidt (© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) The Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers] have had a fantastic start to the 2025 NHL playoffs. After defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning by a 6-2 final score in Game 1, the Panthers followed that up with a hard-fought 2-0 win over the Bolts in Game 2. With this, they are now heading back home for Games 3 and 4 with a 2-0 series lead. As expected, the Panthers' top stars like Sergei Bobrovsky, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Aleksander Barkov have been big reasons for the team's early success in this series. However, veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt has also been a major difference-maker for the Panthers this series, scoring three goals in just two games. According to NHL Public Relations [https://x.com/NHLPR/status/1915545733253431499], Schmidt has tied an NHL record with the most goals scored by a defenseman through the first two games of the playoffs. The only other blueliners in NHL history to achieve this same feat are Nicklas Lindstrom (Detroit Red Wings, 1995), Steve Chiasson (Red Wings, 1991), Mike O'Connell (Boston Bruins, 1981), Dick Redmond (Chicago Blackhawks, 1973), and George Boucher (Ottawa Senators, 1921). This is undoubtedly a nice accomplishment for Schmidt and shows just how impressive he has played early on. He has also already matched his current career high in playoff goals, as he also scored three in 20 games during the 2018 NHL playoffs with the Vegas Golden Knights. Since signing a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Panthers this past off-season, Schmidt has provided solid value to Florida's blueline. He has simply fit in nicely with the Panthers, posting five goals, 19 points, and a plus-4 rating in 80 games. Now, he is giving them great value in the playoffs early on and continuing to show the Panthers that they made the right call taking a shot on after the Winnipeg Jets bought him out. Recent Panthers News Sasha Barkov status for Game 3 remains unknown following illegal hit from Brandon Hagel [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/48173f29-af02-4fa6-94f7-376c35302310.jpeg] Sasha Barkov status for Game 3 remains unknown following illegal hit from Brandon Hagel A small group of Florida Panthers took the ice in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sasha-barkov-status-for-game-3-remains-unknown-following-illegal-hit-from-brandon-hagel] Sergei Bobrovsky locked back into playoff-mode, providing elite goaltending for Panthers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bcb2d458-809b-48be-9cc2-c56ee65945f3.jpeg] Sergei Bobrovsky locked back into playoff-mode, providing elite goaltending for Panthers Sergei Bobrovsky didn’t have a particularly busy night in terms of stopping pucks on Thursday. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/sergei-bobrovsky-locked-back-into-playoff-mode-providing-elite-goaltending-for-panthers] Three takeaways: Panthers defend well in own zone, penalty kill comes up big [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1de6f83d-99ac-441f-9bc1-669fa8c7e72f.jpeg] Three takeaways: Panthers defend well in own zone, penalty kill comes up big The Florida Panthers will be a happy bunch when they take the short flight home to Fort Lauderdale. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-panthers-defend-well-in-own-zone-penalty-kill-comes-up-big]
