The Florida Panthers capped a successful visit to Finland on Saturday, defeating the Dallas Stars 4-2 in the second game of the NHL Global Series to complete a two-game sweep. The victory saw the Panthers extend their win streak to five games, with standout performances from Finnish players and key contributors throughout the lineup.
AJ Greer scored his first goal for the Panthers just 2:32 into the third period, securing the go-ahead goal that put Florida up 3-2. Greer’s goal, assisted by Tomas Nosek (who earned his first point as a Panther), broke the deadlock and energized Florida, allowing them to hold the lead for the rest of the game.
Aleksander Barkov and Niko Mikkola, both Finnish-born players, added assists for Florida, making an impact in front of the hometown crowd. The support from Barkov and Mikkola underscored a strong showing from the seven Finnish players in the series, who combined for a total of 11 points.
Florida’s offense was buoyed by Sam Reinhart, who continued his blistering start to the season. Reinhart opened the scoring, marking his 20th point of the season, becoming the second player in the NHL to reach that mark. He closed out the game with an empty-net goal, solidifying the win and setting a franchise record with 21 points through the first 13 games.
Evan Rodrigues and Matthew Tkachuk also found the back of the net, helping Florida jump out to an early lead and putting Dallas on their heels. Tkachuk’s goal was his third of the season, while Rodrigues contributed his fifth, showcasing the Panthers’ offensive depth.
Dallas managed a pair of quick goals in the second period from Matt Duchene and Evgenii Dadonov, who scored just 34 seconds apart to tie the game at 2-2. However, the Stars couldn’t maintain the momentum, falling behind early in the third and failing to mount a comeback.
Goaltender Casey DeSmith made 20 saves for Dallas, but he couldn’t withstand Florida’s pressure in the final frame. The back-to-back losses marked the first time this season that the Stars dropped consecutive games, leaving coach Peter DeBoer one win shy of tying Bryan Murray for 20th place on the NHL’s all-time coaching wins list.
The Global Series was a showcase for Finnish talent, with four Panthers and three Stars representing Finland on the ice. Panthers captain Barkov led all Finnish players with four points across the two games, while Mikkola added two assists. Dallas’s Esa Lindell also logged two points, while Miro Heiskanen, Anton Lundell, and Eetu Luostarinen each chipped in with one point apiece.
Reinhart’s scorching start has him on pace to break franchise records, as he surpassed his own 13-game mark set last season. His contributions have been instrumental in Florida’s recent success, keeping the Panthers atop the Atlantic Division standings.
Dallas will need to regroup quickly as they return to North America for a challenging stretch of games, including three consecutive matchups in three different countries. Despite the setback in Finland, the Stars’ early-season form suggests they’ll be competitive in the Central Division.
The Stars will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, marking the first of their three-country tour that will take them back to the U.S. and then on to Winnipeg, Canada. Meanwhile, the Panthers will begin a five-game homestand on Thursday against the Nashville Predators, where they’ll look to continue their winning streak.
This Finnish series showcased international hockey and saw the Panthers take full advantage, boosted by both familiar and fresh faces. With Barkov and Reinhart leading the charge, Florida continues to establish itself as a powerhouse early in the 2024-25 NHL season.
