Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers Take First in the Atlantic By Beating Kings

SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers played a full, 60-minute game in beating the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.
Celebrating Dmitry Kulikov’s 1,000th game, the Panthers put together a strong effort led by 29 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky in a 3-0 win which catapulted them into first place in the Atlantic Division standings.
Matthew Tkachuk assisted on the first two goals before scoring an empty-netter from center ice to put things away.
It was Bobrovsky’s second shutout of the season and Florida’s first against the Kings since John Vanbiesbrouck shut them down back in 1997.
“It was a great effort led by Bob,’’ Tkachuk said. “I thought Kulikov, on his special night was so good for us as well.
“You almost need a game like this where it’s something really special, for our teammates to come to the rink and just give it absolutely everything you can and do it for the guy next to you, which was Kulikov tonight. … To play and get this win for Kulikov on a special night means the world to us.”
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The Florida Panthers lost 2-1 to the Kings just a week prior, the team taking a 1-0 lead into the third on the second-half of a west coast back-to-back which seemed to sap some energy from their legs.
A week before, Los Angeles came out flying in the third period and scored twice to pull out its seventh win against the Panthers in eight games.
This time, it was Florida which scored twice in the third and took the game.
“I thought the difference was they were maybe fresher this time around,” Los Angeles coach Jim Hiller said.
“We weren’t as fresh, and that’s probably the difference. They were faster than they were in L.A. Still a good hockey game. But, they got us.”
On a short 5-on-3 early in the third, a shot from Tkachuk bounded off the end boards and went right onto the stick of Sasha Barkov.
Barkov banged it home for a 2-0 lead at 4:43 of the period and the Panthers shut things down after that.
It was the first goal in 14 games for Barkov — and his first in 2025. He had not scored since Dec. 30 against the Rangers.
Barkov’s drought may have been the quietest in NHL history due to all he does for the Panthers.
“He’s been great for us ever since I’ve been here,’’ Tkachuk said. “I know I say it all the time, but he’s still so underrated. People don’t fully appreciate what he does for our team. We are super lucky to have him.”
Said Paul Maurice: “We just leave him. ‘OK, he’s missed 13, he’ll be fine, he’ll score one, it’s going to happen.’ Defensively, as the leader of the group — to play against [Anze] Kopitar — to keep that group off the board … we were much better in front of our own goaltender.”
The Panthers will take Thursday off, return to practice Friday and then play host to the Blackhawks and Islanders on back-to-back home games starting Saturday afternoon on ABC.
With the win, and Toronto’s home loss to Minnesota, Florida retook the lead in its division.
“That kind of goes to Bobrovsky,’’ said Sam Bennett, who made it 1-0 early in the first after taking a slick pass from Tkachuk and beating a downed Darcy Kuemper.
“He stood on his head and played unbelievably again. I think it was a full 60-minute game that we played really well. All the lines were playing well, [defense] was playing well, we got on the forecheck well and limited their chances.”
Said Bobrovsky: “The guys defended hard, as always. We played that heavy game and so did our opponent. It was a great game, a great tight game. It’s great to have two points. It’s definitely a special game for [Kulikov] and a special game for us. It’s great to have a win for him. He’s an unbelievable player. He’s a professional and a reliable [defenseman]. It’s great to have him on our side.”
— Bobrovsky recorded his 13th shutout with the Panthers and tied Vanbiesbrouckfor the third most with the franchise. The only Florida goalies with more are Roberto Luongo (38) and Tomas Vokoun (23).
— Tkachuk got his 60th career three-point performance and tied his dad, Keith, and former teammate, Johnny Gaudreau, for the fifth most among American players over the past 30 years. Patrick Kane has 108.
ON DECK: GAME No. 53
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS at FLORIDA PANTHERS
- When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
- National TV: ABC
- National Streaming: ESPN+/Hulu
- Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- Last Season: Tied 1-1
- This Season (Blackhawks Lead 1-0) — At Florida: Saturday. At Chicago: Blackhawks 3, Panthers 1 (Nov. 21).
- All-time Regular Season Series: Blackhawks lead 30-19-4, 3 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Sunday vs. New York Islanders, 6 (Local TV)
