Colorado Avalanche Edge Florida Panthers in Defensive Battle

With two of their top defensemen out, the Florida Panthers knew they were in for a challenge Monday night in Denver against the Avalanche.

Sergei Bobrovsky — and the defensemen in for the Panthers — were up for the task.

Only a couple of long shots from Devon Toews turned out to be the difference.

Toews scored on a pair of point shots through traffic that beat Bobrovsky and led the Avalanche to a 3-1 win over the Panthers.

Florida led 1-0 on a first-period goal from Carter Verhaeghe that held up until Toews banged one off the crossbar and Bobrovsky to tie it.

With 11:06 left, he sent another point shot through traffic.

Those goals discounted a terrific defensive game by Bobrovsky and the Panthers.

Florida killed off four Colorado power plays and frustrated the Avalanche throughout the night even with Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola missing the game.

Colorado got its third goal into an empty net with 1:57 left.

Bobrovsky had 31 saves in the loss; Mackenzie Blackwood made 25.

NOTES: PANTHERS @ AVALANCHE

• The Panthers have won 82 percent of their road games since 2023-24 when scoring first, the second best behind the Jets (.875).
• With Toews scoring twice, Colorado has 110 points from defensemen this season – most among all teams. Washington is second with 104.

HOW THEY SCORED

• Panthers 1, Avalanche 0 (15:57 1st): Jesper Boqvist creates a turnover in the neutral zone and gets Anton Lundell and Carter Verhaeghe going — with Verhaeghe getting his first goal in nine games with a one-timer from the right circle.
• Avalanche 1, Panthers 1 (18:18 2nd): The Avs finally get one past Sergei Bobrovsky, Devon Toews’ point shot through traffic going off the crossbar and off Bob’s back.
• Avalanche 2, Panthers 1 (8:54 3rd): Toews gets another one from the point.
• Avalanche 3, Panthers 1 (18:03 3rd EN): Mikko Rantanen ends it for the Avs.

GR’S 3 STARS OF THE GAME

• 1. Devon Toews, Colorado
• 2. Mackenzie Blackwood, Colorado
• 3. Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida

ON DECK: GAME No. 42

FLORIDA PANTHERS at UTAH HOCKEY CLUB

• When: Wednesday, 10 p.m.
• Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City
• National TV: TNT, TruTV
• Streaming: Max
• Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL app
• Season Series — At Utah: Wednesday. At Florida: March 28.
• Last Season vs. Arizona Coyotes: Florida Won 2-0
• All-time Regular Season Series vs. Coyotes: Florida leads 21-20-0, 3 ties
• Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday vs. Boston Bruins, 1 p.m. (ABC)