Ducks Rally Past Panthers 3-2 in Overtime Behind Granlund’s Power Play Winner

Gauthier Scores Twice as Anaheim Continues Home Opening Streak

Mikael Granlund scored 4:14 into overtime on a power play, and Cutter Gauthier scored twice with the man advantage as the Anaheim Ducks rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday night. The Ducks extended their remarkable home-opening streak to 11 consecutive victories while improving to 2-0 to begin the season.

Anaheim is coming off a breakthrough postseason run that ended a seven-year playoff drought and carried the team to the second round last season. Leo Carlsson was instrumental throughout the night, recording three assists, including the setup on Granlund’s overtime winner. Lukas Dostal stopped 29 shots for Anaheim.

Gauthier delivered his 12th career multi-goal performance while adding an assist on Granlund’s winner. The performance came in his first home game since signing a six-year, $81 million contract extension last month following a breakout 41-goal season.

Panthers Rally Late to Force Overtime

Florida took an early lead when Carter Verhaeghe scored, but Gauthier answered with his first power-play goal early in the second period. He scored from the slot after taking a setup from Beckett Sennecke.

Gauthier nearly completed his hat trick late in the second period when Sennecke delivered another superb pass that left him with an open net. Instead, Gauthier hit the post and snapped his stick over his knee in frustration moments later.

Florida goaltender Jacob Markstrom kept the Panthers within striking distance, finishing with 18 saves. The Panthers eventually found the equalizer with 1:50 remaining in regulation when Brad Marchand scored on a rebound with Markstrom pulled for an extra attacker.

Marchand was making his season debut for Florida, which has now dropped two straight games to open the season. The Panthers had an opportunity to take the lead on a late power play after Anaheim forward and former Florida player AJ Greer was sent off for hooking, but Florida couldn’t convert.

Granlund Delivers in Overtime

Anaheim earned its overtime power play when Sennecke drew a tripping penalty on Gustav Forsling midway through the extra period. Florida nearly killed off the penalty, but Carlsson found Granlund in front of the net with a precise pass.

Granlund finished the play for his first goal as a Duck, giving Anaheim the 3-2 victory. Carlsson now has five points through Anaheim’s first two games after recently signing a $90 million contract extension of his own. His chemistry with Gauthier and Sennecke helped fuel the Ducks’ offensive attack throughout the night.

Panthers Face Another Test Without Barkov

Florida was already dealing with a major lineup challenge after captain Aleksander Barkov suffered a significant left leg injury Thursday. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad was also a late scratch Sunday night. The game featured a pair of players facing their former teams.

Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas returned to Anaheim after serving as the Ducks’ captain for the previous two seasons, while Greer faced Florida after spending the past two seasons with the Panthers and winning a Stanley Cup championship with the club in 2025. The Panthers will look to regroup Tuesday night when they visit the Los Angeles Kings. Anaheim returns home Wednesday to host the Edmonton Oilers.