George Richards, FHN Publisher
The Florida Panthers had Anthony Duclair back from injury but were without Carter Verhaeghe Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars.
They still had Frank Vatrano, however, and he scored yet another game-winning goal and lifted Florida to a 3-2 overtime win over the host Stars to snap a three-game losing streak.
It was Vatrano’s fifth game-winning goal of the season and his 11th scored either in the third or in OT this season.
“It’s huge especially late in the season,” Vatrano said. “We’re trying to move up in the standings, put ourselves in a good spot come playoffs.
“Any time you score a goal it’s an unbelievable feeling whether it’s a game-winner or a goal to put your team within reach.”
Before Tuesday night’s game, the Panthers announced that Verhaeghe would be out “week to week” with an undisclosed upper body injury.
Aside from that, Tuesday was a good night for Florida thanks to a fantastic night in net by Chris Driedger.
Driedger, who we’ll bet starts Thursday in Tampa, helped force extra time with some huge saves in the third and again in OT before the Panthers went on the power play and kept the puck in the Dallas zone.
Sasha Barkov and Radko Gudas (yep) both scored in regulation but it was Driedger who gave Vatrano the chance to be the OT hero again.
”He’s a shooter,” Gudas said. “Fun to watch.”
The Panthers looked like a completely different team than they did Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday, Dallas scored twice before the two minute mark and led 3-0 before the midway point of the first period.
Joel Quenneville described it as a “garbage can game.”
Florida pushed the play from the start Tuesday, with Barkov getting his 18th of the season by connecting on a pass from Markus Nutivaara at 11:50 of the first period.
The Panthers were outshooting Dallas 8-1 at the time.
Just 52 seconds later, however, rookie Jason Robertson tied the score when he got one past Chris Driedger (24 saves) on Dallas’ second credited shot.
Florida kept things rolling, however, and ended up taking the lead back early in the second.
Gudas, known a lot more for his big hits and his defensive play, has not been shy to throw heavy shots toward the net throughout the season.
Tuesday, one finally made its way through.
Shooting from the point, Gudas’ shot deflected off a Dallas stick and Anton Khudobin had no chance to make a play on it and it was 2-1 at 2:45 of the second.
”That was exciting, I finally got one through,” Gudas said. “I got lucky there, but I am really happy it went through. Very exciting time for me, seeing all the guys get pumped for me.
“I’m lucky, got lucky there. Happy it went in. Looking forward to a few more.”
The Panthers were thought to be getting the top line back together but the loss of Verhaeghe — who is now second on the team with 17 goals — scuttled that.
Florida did the next best thing, however, reuniting Barkov with Jonathan Huberdeau.
Up 2-1 in the third, Dallas came hard at Driedger and the Panthers with Joe Pavelski tying the score at 8:26.
Jamie Benn, who tripped up Duclair in overtime, was robbed by Driedger a few times in the third most notably one where Dreidger had to go back and pull the puck away from the line.
That would have made it 3-2. Only it did not.
”I thought that one went in for sure,” Vatrano said. “I then watched the replay and saw he made a great, desperation save to keep that out. Huge for us. Turning point.”
Said Dallas coach Rick Bowness: “It was all over. Cross bars, posts, open nets. The kid in the net was great. It’s as simple as that. The puck is going in and he gets his stick on it. The chances we created in third, that game should have been over in regulation. Simple as that.”
Driedger ended with 11 saves in the period but that one was one for the highlight reel.
”Miraculous save,” Quenneville said, “by the thinnest of margins. Big save on Pavelski as well. He had two big saves late.”
Said Driedger: “Those ones kind of pinball around in front of me, hit a skate and it’s going straight in. You just go into instict mode. I was able to catch it with the hook of my blade. Those can go the opposite way so it’s nice when it goes your way.”
Florida got the OT power play chance when Duclair went down on the trip from Benn, landing awkwardly and favoring his left leg as he slowly skated to the bench.
“Listen, he was trying to stop the play,’’ Bowness said. “That’s hockey. Stuff happens out there, and you just have to live with it.”
Duclair did not return in overtime but Quenneville said he didn’t think it was anything serious.
”I haven’t heard,” Quenneville said, “but I think he’s OK. Hopefully there is no surprise there. I thought he had a heck of a game there.”
The game-winning goal came when Gus Forsling saw Vatrano in the right circle above the dot, fed him the puck and Vatrano let ‘er fly.
”Great pass, great plays all around,” Vatrano said, “and I put it in the net.”
VERHAEGHE HURT SATURDAY
After the game Tuesday, Quenneville said Verhaeghe was hurt at the end of Saturday’s loss in Dallas.
Although the team did not announce Verhaeghe’s injury until right before game time on Tuesday, it was no surprise to them that he was not going to play.
”We knew he wasn’t playing,” Quenneville said.
Florida activated a number of their new players and are expected to at least have forwards Nikita Gusev and Lucas Wallmark in the lineup Thursday.
Sam Bennett is coming from Canada and may be a few extra days.
HEADED TO TAMPA
The Panthers avoided losing four straight games with the win and head south as they conclude this six-game road trip with a pair in Tampa.
By winning Tuesday, the Panthers pulled themselves back into a tie for first place as Tampa Bay lost to Nashville on Tuesday and Carolina lost twice against Detroit.
All three teams have 58 points as the battle for the NHL’s Central Division continues on.
Florida has one game remaining against Dallas and has won five of the seven meetings against the reigning Western Conference champs.
With the loss, Dallas’ playoff hopes took yet another hit.
With Nashville winning again, the Stars are seven points back of the Predators for the final spot in the division.
GEORGE’S THREE STARS OF THE NIGHT
1. Chris Driedger, Florida
2. Sasha Barkov, Florida
3. Frank Vatrano, Florida
ON DECK: PANTHERS AT LIGHTNING
When: Thursday, 7
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
Season series: Tied 2-2
TV: NBCSN
Radio: WQAM 560-AM