The Panthers struck first, with Matthew Tkachuk scoring on a power play just five minutes into the first period. The Kings answered back late in the period with a one-timer goal from Kevin Fiala, tying the game 1-1 heading into the second.
The Kings gained momentum in the second period, as Anže Kopitar capitalized on a breakaway to give LA a 2-1 lead. However, Florida responded with two quick goals from Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart, putting them ahead 3-2 entering the third period.
In the final frame, Adrian Kempe tied the game at 3-3 with a wrist shot from the slot. The game headed into overtime, where Barkov buried the game-winning goal off an assist from Tkachuk, securing the 4-3 Panthers victory.
Key Performances
- Florida Panthers:
- Aleksander Barkov: 1 goal (OT winner), 1 assist, +2 rating.
- Matthew Tkachuk: 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 shots on goal.
- Sergei Bobrovsky: 32 saves, .914 save percentage.
- Los Angeles Kings:
- Anže Kopitar: 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 shots on goal.
- Adrian Kempe: 1 goal, 3 hits, +1 rating.
- Cam Talbot: 30 saves, .909 save percentage.
Statistical Highlights
- Shots on Goal:
- Kings: 35
- Panthers: 34
- Power Plays:
- Kings: 1/4
- Panthers: 1/3
- Faceoff Wins:
- Kings: 52%
- Panthers: 48%
Takeaways
- Florida’s resilience shined as they battled back multiple times to secure the win.
- LA’s offense played well, but they struggled to close out the game defensively.
- Barkov continues to be Florida’s clutch player, delivering when it matters most.
Call-to-Action (CTA):
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