Florida Panthers
After Hot Start with the Panthers, Reinhart Ready for Team Canada
SUNRISE — Coming off a Stanley Cup and a max contract extension with the Panthers in July, Sam Reinhart has wasted no time making his mark on the new season, delivering a scorching start that has him among the NHL’s top performers.
This season, Reinhart has been etching his name more into the Panthers’ record books.
The first player in franchise history to net a power-play and shorthanded goal in the same game twice in a single season, Reinhart recently recorded his 30th goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in a 5-1 beatdown.
Reinhart joins Olli Jokinen as the only Florida player with 30 goals for Florida in four seasons. He is the first in franchise history to do it in four straight seasons.
“His profile is perfect,” Paul Maurice said of his star forward.
“He takes the chances he’s supposed to, never cheats the game, and puts up these big numbers.
“He is a brilliant player.”
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The Panthers just concluded a three-game homestand with a 6-3 win over the Islanders.
With two points against the Islanders — and an assist Tuesday in Washington — Reinhart is two points away from 600.
“I think it’s all preparation,” Reinhart said.
“I prepare every single day to give myself the best opportunity to succeed. I’m not at the point now where I’m going into reflection mode, you know, I’m just keeping my focus forward and taking it one day at a time.”
Reinhart will participate in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off starting next week and is excited to represent Team Canada.
“That was certainly a goal to start the year,” Reinhart said.
“Pretty exciting finding out that news a couple of months ago.”
Florida will have eight players at the tournament, most of any team in the NHL.
Teaming up with Sam Bennett for Canada makes things even better.
“Anytime you can go into a situation like that with some familiar faces,” Reinhart said, “it’s a positive thing.
“Getting an opportunity to play for and represent your country, that’s where you grew up loving the game. Those are the moments where you remember watching hockey growing up. It’s nice to get that opportunity again.”
With Panthers on all four teams at the tournament, there has been some chatter among the players in the locker room.
“We’ve been talking a fair amount,” Reinhart said. “It’s a good time for us…it’s a long, grueling year, and every time you can get some energy and excitement going, it’s only going to benefit our team.”
ON DECK: GAME No. 56
FLORIDA PANTHERS at ST. LOUIS BLUES
- When: Thursday, 8 p.m.
- Where: Enterprise Center, St. Louis
- Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FtL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (SWFla)
- Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
- Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
- This Season (Panthers Lead 1-0) — At Florida: Panthers 2, Blues 1 (Dec. 20). At St. Louis: Thursday.
- Last Season: Even 1-1
- All-time Regular Season Series: St. Louis leads 27-14-1, 3 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday vs. Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.
