Panthers Explode for Seven Goals as Brady Tkachuk Records Natural Hat Trick in Frozen Frenzy Win Over Blue Jackets

Florida Panthers Dominate Columbus 7-3 on Frozen Frenzy Night

The Florida Panthers made a statement on the NHL’s Frozen Frenzy night, erupting for seven goals in a 7-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday to snap a two-game losing streak. Brady Tkachuk delivered a natural hat trick in the second period, his brother Matthew Tkachuk matched a franchise record with five assists, and Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart each scored twice as Florida took control after falling behind early. The Panthers’ offensive explosion featured a historic second period, with Brady Tkachuk scoring three consecutive goals and Matthew assisting on all three.

Matthew also set up Verhaeghe’s second-period goal, recording the first four-assist period in franchise history. Seth Jones contributed four assists of his own, while Reinhart finished with two goals and an assist to extend his point streak against Columbus to a franchise record 12 games. Florida improved to 11-2-0 against Columbus since the start of the 2022-23 season, continuing its recent dominance over the Blue Jackets.

Brady Tkachuk Takes Over in the Second Period

Columbus struck first when Kent Johnson scored an unassisted goal at 14:11 of the opening period, giving the Blue Jackets a 1-0 advantage. However, the Panthers quickly shifted the momentum in the second.

Brady Tkachuk capitalized on a turnover by Carson Soucy in the Florida zone, tying the game at 2:27 with his first goal of the season. He added a power-play goal approximately three and a half minutes later before completing his fourth career hat trick, and his second against Columbus, with another power-play tally at 10:30.

Tkachuk became the ninth player in Panthers history to score three goals in a single period. He also recorded four points in the second, joining his brother Matthew as the third and fourth players in franchise history to produce four point periods.

Matthew Tkachuk assisted on all three of his brother’s goals, helping fuel Florida’s decisive surge. His five-assist performance extended his personal point streak to six games and tied the Panthers’ single game record for assists.

Panthers Capitalize on Power Plays to Pull Away

Florida continued its offensive assault when Columbus forward Mathieu Olivier received a major penalty and game misconduct for slashing Uvis Balinskis at 13:44 of the second period. The penalty left the Blue Jackets shorthanded for five minutes, and the Panthers took advantage.

Verhaeghe scored on the ensuing power play, adding another goal to Florida’s rapidly growing lead. The Panthers carried their momentum into the third period, where Reinhart scored a power-play goal 1:20 after the puck dropped.

The goal gave Reinhart 86 career power-play goals with Florida, establishing a new franchise record. His continued production against Columbus also extended his point streak against the Blue Jackets to 12 games, the longest in Panthers history. Florida’s special teams success came against a Columbus penalty kill that has now surrendered seven power-play goals in 18 opportunities.

Blue Jackets Rally Briefly Before Florida Seals the Win

Despite falling behind, Columbus attempted to make things interesting in the third period. Denton Mateychuk and Cole Sillinger scored just 22 seconds apart, cutting Florida’s lead to 6-3 and briefly giving the Blue Jackets hope of mounting a comeback. The Panthers answered by maintaining their composure and closing out the victory.

Reinhart added an empty net goal to finish the scoring at 7-3, capping a dominant offensive performance. Verhaeghe finished with two goals, while Reinhart contributed two goals and an assist. Jones’ four assists provided another major boost to Florida’s attack. Columbus received goals from Johnson, Mateychuk and Sillinger, while Damon Severson recorded two assists. The Blue Jackets have now lost three of their last four games.

Panthers Make a Goaltending Change

Akira Schmid stopped 24 shots for Florida after entering the game following a difficult night for the Panthers’ goaltending situation. He started Tuesday after replacing Jacob Markstrom following the first period of Florida’s loss at Buffalo on Monday.

For Columbus, Cam Talbot stopped 17 shots before being pulled after allowing his sixth goal at 3:28 of the third period. Jet Greaves entered in relief and made four saves as the Panthers continued to generate scoring chances.

Next NHL Games for the Panthers and Blue Jackets

The Panthers will return home Thursday to host the Vancouver Canucks as they look to build on their offensive breakthrough and put their recent losing streak firmly behind them. The Blue Jackets will have a few days to regroup before hosting the New York Rangers on Saturday, with improving their penalty kill and limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities among the priorities following Tuesday’s defeat.

Florida’s seven goal performance provided a memorable Frozen Frenzy highlight, led by Brady and Matthew Tkachuk’s historic second-period showing and a balanced offensive attack that proved too much for Columbus to handle.