The Florida Panthers extended their winning streak to six games with a commanding 6-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. The Panthers (10-3-1) showcased their offensive depth and relentless pace, propelled by standout performances from Carter Verhaeghe, Aleksander Barkov, and Sam Reinhart, among others. This recent surge has Florida looking like a formidable force in the early part of the NHL season.
Carter Verhaeghe led the way with two goals and an assist, while Aleksander Barkov demonstrated his playmaking skills with three assists—his second three-assist game within the week. Sam Reinhart also continued his goal-scoring hot streak, netting his 11th of the season to extend his goal streak to five consecutive games. Matthew Tkachuk contributed with a goal and an assist, while Uvis Balinskis chipped in two assists. Tomas Nosek added to the scoring, rounding out a dynamic and multi-dimensional Panthers attack.
The Panthers’ offense was particularly dominant early in the game. Verhaeghe and Tkachuk struck within a mere 1:41 of each other in the first period, quickly building a 2-0 lead that Nashville struggled to overcome. This swift offensive burst set the tone for the rest of the game, with Florida firmly controlling the pace.
In net, Sergei Bobrovsky marked a career milestone, earning his 403rd career win to tie him with NHL legend Grant Fuhr for 12th on the all-time wins list. Bobrovsky’s steady play anchored the Panthers’ defense, allowing them to press forward confidently while holding Nashville’s scoring threats at bay.
Steven Stamkos, longtime Tampa Bay Lightning star, found himself in a unique position—facing the Panthers in a Predators uniform for the first time. Stamkos managed to find the back of the net, bringing his career tally against the Panthers to an impressive 52 goals (including playoffs), the most by any Florida opponent. Yet, his efforts weren’t enough to disrupt Florida’s rhythm.
For the Panthers, this victory marked yet another milestone in their recent history. This is the fourth time since the beginning of last season that Florida has had a winning streak of at least six games, a feat they only achieved 10 times in their first 29 seasons combined. With their strong start (10-3-1), Florida has matched its best 14-game start from previous seasons (1995-96, 2020-21, and 2021-22).
The Predators, meanwhile, have struggled to gain traction this season. With only nine points through 14 games (4-9-1), they are off to the slowest start in franchise history. Stamkos’ individual achievements, while noteworthy, have not been enough to lift the team, which will need to regroup as they look to improve over their next stretch of games.
The Predators will return home to face the Utah Grizzlies on Saturday night before embarking on a challenging five-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Panthers will stay in Sunrise for the second of five consecutive home games, hosting the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.
As Florida continues its climb in the standings, the Panthers’ mix of explosive offense, veteran leadership, and steady goaltending looks poised to make a significant impact as the season progresses. With players like Verhaeghe, Reinhart, and Barkov leading the charge, the Panthers are certainly a team to watch in the Eastern Conference.
