The Florida Panthers edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in an electrifying contest Friday night, with Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell delivering in the shootout to seal the win. The Panthers showcased resilience and clutch performances in a game that saw late drama, stellar goaltending, and tempers flaring.
Matthew Tkachuk scored a power-play goal midway through the third period to give Florida a 2-1 lead. Tkachuk’s goal came after a heated exchange late in the second period, where he was assessed 12 penalty minutes for a minor and misconduct following a scrum with Sidney Crosby.
Gustav Forsling also found the back of the net for Florida, opening the scoring in the first period. But Pittsburgh wouldn’t go quietly. Rickard Rakell scored the tying goal with just 39.9 seconds left in regulation, capitalizing on a 6-on-4 opportunity with Florida’s Sam Bennett serving a roughing penalty. Crosby also contributed to Pittsburgh’s offense with an earlier goal, marking his 30th career regular-season tally against the Panthers — joining an elite group of players to hit that milestone.
Florida goaltender Spencer Knight was pivotal, making 29 saves in regulation and overtime before turning away Rickard Rakell and Crosby in the shootout. Knight’s highlight of the night came moments after Tkachuk’s power-play goal, when he made a remarkable toe save on Michael Bunting during a Penguins power play to preserve Florida’s lead.
On the other side, Tristan Jarry was also impressive, stopping 31 shots for Pittsburgh and keeping the game within reach despite Florida’s offensive pressure.
In the shootout, Reinhart scored first for Florida, setting the tone. Lundell followed with a smooth deke to secure the victory after Knight denied both of Pittsburgh’s attempts.
Penguins injury woes as Pittsburgh lost center Philip Tomasino to a lower-body injury early in the third period after an awkward collision with the boards. Tomasino was helped off the ice and did not return, leaving a gap in the Penguins’ lineup.
Matthew Tkachuk’s determination and grit as Tkachuk’s goal appeared to be fueled by the earlier altercation with Crosby, showcasing his knack for rising to the occasion in high-pressure moments.
Crosby’s milestone goal highlights his longevity and consistency as one of the league’s premier players. Crosby became the eighth player in NHL history to notch 30 regular-season goals against the Panthers, joining a prestigious list that includes Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, and Jaromir Jagr.
The Penguins will travel to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, while the Panthers head west to take on the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.
The Panthers demonstrated grit and poise in a high-stakes matchup, with standout performances from Tkachuk, Knight, and their shootout stars. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh showed fight but will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a tough divisional clash in Carolina.
