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Florida Panthers

Spencer Knight Blanks Ducks, Leads Panthers to Win

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SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers did not have Sam Reinhart for much of their game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night, but they had Spencer Knight.



That and a second-period goal from Jesper Boqvist was enough for a win.

Knight made 34 saves for his second shutout this season to lead the Panthers to a 3-0 win.

He even had an assist.

Boqvist and Anton Lundell scored for Florida.

Reinhart, Florida’s leading scorer with 27 goals and 51 points, was tossed from the game at 15:26 of the first for kneeing Isac Lundestrom.

Lundestrom did not return to the game.

Florida’s penalty kill, which has struggled the past few games, kept the Ducks off the board and finally took the lead on Boqvist’s 11th goal of the season.

His previous season high before this one was 10 goals.

The Panthers kept coming at John Gibson but got some breathing room at 4:43 of the third when Anton Lundell stripped Alex Killorn of the puck at center ice, drove in and squeaked one under Gibson’s glove.

Before Gus Forsling scored the empty-netter in the final seconds, Knight just missed getting a goal for himself.

“I tried,’’ Knight said. “I’ll take the assist though. Give the other guys some points.’’

NOTES: DUCKS @ PANTHERS

  • The Panthers are the first team this season to hit 20 wins when scoring first.
  • Knight had 25 saves in the first two periods — with eight coming from former Florida forward Frank Vatrano.

HOW THEY SCORED

  • Panthers 1, Ducks 0 (11:22 2nd): Jesper Boqvist gets his 11th goal of the season, firing off a wrist shot from the right circle that clips John Gibson on its way in.
  • Panthers 2, Ducks 0 (4:43 3rd): Anton Lundell strips Alex Killorn of the puck at center ice, drives in and sends a shot from the left side that trickles past Gibson.
  • Panthers 3, Ducks 0 (19:53 3rd EN): Knight gets an assist on Gus Forsling’s empty-netter.

FHN’S 3 STARS OF THE GAME

  • 1. Spencer Knight, Florida
  • 2. Jesper Boqvist, Florida
  • 3. Anton Lundell, Florida

ON DECK: GAME No. 48
FLORIDA PANTHERS @ ANAHEIM DUCKS

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