Lars Eller Scores Late as Panthers Edge Blackhawks 3-2

Panthers End Two Game Losing Streak

Lars Eller scored his first goal of the season with 2:23 remaining in the third period, lifting the Florida Panthers to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday and snapping a two game losing streak. Eller beat goaltender Spencer Knight with a high shot just inside the left post after racing down the right wing and taking advantage of a Chicago line change.

The late goal capped a hard fought game in which Florida controlled much of the opening period but had to withstand several Chicago power plays before securing the win. Matthew Tkachuk and Sandis Vilmanis also scored for the Panthers, while Roman Kantserov and Ryan Greene found the net for Chicago. Florida goaltender Akira Schmid made 19 saves, and Knight stopped 29 shots for the Blackhawks, who suffered their third consecutive loss.

Panthers Take First Period Lead

Florida outshot Chicago 15-6 in the opening period and carried a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission, overcoming an early deficit with two goals in less than eight minutes. Greene opened the scoring at 2:34, getting just enough of a wobbling puck to direct it past Schmid. The play developed after Kevin Korchinski’s shot from the point missed the net and bounced into the area in front of the Florida goal, where Greene capitalized.

Vilmanis tied the game at 6:49, knocking in a rebound of Sam Reinhart’s shot after a scramble in front of Knight. Tkachuk put Florida ahead with a power-play goal with 5:39 remaining in the period. His goal came just five seconds after Chicago forward Tyler Bertuzzi was penalized for tripping. Seth Jones’ shot from the point struck Tkachuk on the arm and deflected into the net, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.

Blackhawks Fight Back to Tie Game

Chicago responded in the second period as Kantserov evened the score at 2-2 at 11:15. Kantserov beat Schmid with a low shot from the right circle through a screen, capping a strong shift alongside linemates Patrick Kane and Connor Bedard. The goal gave the Blackhawks renewed momentum after Florida had dictated much of the play early. Neither team found the go-ahead goal before Eller delivered the decisive strike late in the third period, securing Florida’s first victory after consecutive losses.

Chicago Power Play Continues to Struggle

The Blackhawks missed a significant opportunity to take control of the game through their special teams, failing to score on seven power-play chances, including two brief two-man advantages. Chicago’s inability to capitalize continued a difficult season on the power play. The Blackhawks entered the game with the NHL’s lowest conversion rate, and the shutout on their seven opportunities dropped that figure to 8.33%.

Defenseman Bowen Byram missed his fourth consecutive game because of an upper-body injury. Korchinski, Chicago’s seventh overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, filled in on defense and played his second game of the season. For Florida, forward Carter Verhaeghe appeared in his 500th NHL game and recorded an assist as the Panthers ended their losing streak and earned a road victory

Up Coming NHL Games for Panthers and Blackhawks

The Panthers continue their four game road trip Tuesday when they visit the Winnipeg Jets in the finale of the trip. The Blackhawks return home Tuesday to face the Los Angeles Kings, beginning the next game of their seven game homestand as they look to end their three-game losing streak.