Panthers Shut Out Jets 5-0, Snap Two-Game Slide
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 shots for his 45th career shutout, Aleksander Barkov had a short-handed goal and two assists, and the Florida Panthers beat the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets 5-0 on Saturday night.
Game Highlights
- Bobrovsky’s shutout was his first since November 2023.
- Barkov’s short-handed goal was his second of the season.
- Sam Reinhart had three assists for Florida, which snapped a two-game slide.
- Mackie Samoskevich, Evan Rodrigues, Nate Schmidt, and Dmitry Kulikov also scored for the Atlantic Division leaders.
- Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck came into the night with an NHL-best 1.92 goals-against average, but was beaten five times on 31 shots.
Takeaways
- The Jets’ 15-3-0 record is the best start in team history.
- The Panthers’ Samoskevich was back in the lineup after not playing Thursday and made an immediate impact with the game’s opening goal.
- The Panthers have five short-handed goals this season, already exceeding their total from the 2023-24 regular season.
Key Moment
- Bobrovsky made a big stop on a backhander by Mark Scheifele midway through the second period to keep Florida up 2-0. Rodrigues and Barkov added goals not long afterward to blow the game open for Florida.
Key Stat
- The Panthers already have five short-handed goals this season (in 18 games). They had eight in the 2023-24 regular season (in 82 games).
Up Next
- The teams play again Tuesday in Winnipeg.
Conclusion
The Panthers’ win snapped a two-game slide and marked their first five-goal lead on the Jets this season. Bobrovsky’s shutout was a key factor in the victory, as he stopped 27 shots to earn his 45th career shutout. The Panthers will look to build on this win as they face the Jets again on Tuesday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many short-handed goals has the Panthers had this season?
A: The Panthers have had five short-handed goals this season.
Q: How many short-handed goals did the Panthers have in the 2023-24 regular season?
A: The Panthers had eight short-handed goals in the 2023-24 regular season.
Q: Who scored the game’s opening goal for the Panthers?
A: Mackie Samoskevich scored the game’s opening goal for the Panthers.
Q: Who made a big stop for the Panthers?
A: Sergei Bobrovsky made a big stop on a backhander by Mark Scheifele midway through the second period.
