The Florida Panthers delivered one of Colorado’s rare stumbles this season, holding off the Avalanche for a 2-1 victory Sunday night and snapping Colorado’s second 10-game winning streak of the campaign.
Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad each scored unassisted goals for Florida, and Daniil Tarasov turned aside 27 shots as the Panthers never trailed in a tightly contested matchup. The loss dropped Colorado to 31-3-7, though its 69 points through 41 games still stand as the second-most in NHL history at that stage of a season — trailing only the 1929-30 Boston Bruins, who had 73 points through 41 games nearly a century ago.
While comparisons across eras come with caveats — including the introduction of regular-season overtime and the NHL’s current points structure, which awards a point for overtime and shootout losses — Colorado’s consistency has been historic. The Avalanche’s three regulation losses through 41 games are tied with the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers for the fewest in league history at that mark.
Florida set the tone early. Bennett opened the scoring just 6:27 into the first period, capitalizing on a breakdown to beat Scott Wedgewood. Colorado responded midway through the second period when Artturi Lehkonen found the net to tie the game, but Ekblad answered late in the frame, scoring with 1:48 remaining in the period to restore the Panthers’ lead at 2-1.
That proved to be all Tarasov and the Panthers needed. Florida locked things down defensively in the third period, limiting the Avalanche’s chances and preserving the narrow margin. It marked only the third time this season that Colorado was held to a single goal.
Wedgewood finished with 23 saves for Colorado, though his record fell to 18-2-4 on the season. The Avalanche had entered the night having earned at least one standings point in 30 of their previous 31 games, going 26-1-4 during that stretch.
Colorado’s night was further complicated by the early loss of captain Gabriel Landeskog, who exited in the second period with what the team described as an upper-body injury.
Florida was also dealing with a depleted lineup. U.S. Olympic team defenseman Seth Jones was out with an upper-body injury sustained during the first period of Friday’s Winter Classic, and the Panthers expect to learn more Monday about how much time he could miss. Despite the absences, Florida managed a disciplined effort to secure a statement win.
The victory comes as the Panthers prepare for a demanding stretch ahead. Florida leaves Monday for a six-game road trip, the beginning of a second half in which the Panthers will play 26 of their final 41 games away from home. Matthew Tkachuk, who has not yet played this season following August surgery to repair a torn adductor and sports hernia, will travel with the team. Whether he will return to the lineup during the trip remains unclear.
Up next, the Avalanche visit Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, while the Panthers open their road swing Tuesday against Toronto.
