Panthers Stun Kings in OT to Extend Win Streak to Nine
In a thrilling matchup between the Florida Panthers and Los Angeles Kings, center Sam Reinhart would send Amerant Bank Arena into a frenzy with 0.7 seconds left in overtime, as he would score on a power-play goal to extend the Panthers’ win streak to nine and complete their 3-2 comeback victory over the Kings on Thursday night. The Panthers’ nine-game win streak is the third longest in team history and is tied with the Edmonton Oilers for the longest active streak in the NHL. For the Kings, the stunning defeat drops them to (20-10-8) for 48 points, as they have lost their seventh straight. Meanwhile, the Panthers improved to (27-12-2) for 56 points with the last-second victory.
The Kings would take a 1-0 lead at 6:17 in the first period, as left winger Trevor Moore would score on a loose puck near the net with Panthers’ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky down on the ice. The Panthers would tie the game up at 1-1 at 10:58 of the second period, as center Sam Bennett would score off a pass from center Eetu Luostarinen that bounced off his skate and into the back of the net. With 21 seconds left in the middle period, the Kings would retake a 2-1 lead, after defenseman Drew Doughty scored on a one-timer in a late-period power-play opportunity. With under three minutes left in regulation, the Panthers would pull Bobrovsky for the extra attacker, as left winger Matthew Tkachuk would deflect a shot from center Carter Verhaeghe past Kings’ goaltender Cam Talbot to tie the game up at 2-2.
In overtime, Kings’ right winger Adrian Kempe, would be called for a cross-check to send Florida on a power play with 1:23 left in overtime. With 0.7 seconds remaining, Reinhart scored his 30th goal of the season with a shot over Talbot's shoulder to extend the Panthers' winning streak. Following the exciting victory, Reinhart met with reporters to reflect on the last-second win. “I heard the crowd and knew time was running down,” Reinhart continued, “Things are going well for us, we’re in the moment and taking it day by day. This was a really tough test tonight and I liked our battle, I liked our compete.” The Panthers will aim to extend their win streak to 10, as they host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.
