The Florida Panthers spoiled a historic night for the New York Rangers on Monday, edging the Rangers 3–2 behind a clutch late goal from Cole Reinhardt that denied veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick a victory in his final NHL appearance.
Reinhardt scored his second goal of the game with 1:50 remaining in regulation, breaking a 2–2 tie on Florida’s fourth shot of the third period. The forward beat Quick on the glove side to seal the win and extend his personal scoring surge, giving him four goals during a three-game goal streak.
Quick, who announced prior to the game that he would retire after 19 NHL seasons, finished with 14 saves in his farewell outing. The three-time Stanley Cup champion captured two titles during his long tenure with the Los Angeles Kings and added another as part of the Vegas Golden Knights’ championship run in 2023.
Florida struck early and controlled the opening period. Reinhardt opened the scoring by following up a rebound off a shot from defenseman Tobias Bjornfot, putting the Panthers ahead 1–0. Mackie Samoskevich doubled the lead at the 11:21 mark, finishing a breakaway chance to give Florida a 2–0 advantage.
New York responded before the end of the first period when Matthew Robertson cut the deficit in half at 15:19 with a point shot that beat Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov.
The Rangers continued to push in the second period and eventually tied the game late in the frame. Gabe Perreault capitalized on a rebound created by defenseman Adam Fox with 2:40 remaining before intermission, leveling the score at 2–2 and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Tarasov was sharp when it mattered most, stopping all 14 shots he faced in the third period as the Rangers pressed hard in hopes of sending Quick out with a victory. He finished with 24 saves on the night and helped Florida withstand a sustained late surge from New York.
Reinhardt’s late strike ultimately proved decisive, lifting the Panthers to the win while handing the Rangers their third consecutive loss. Despite the defeat, the night remained emotional as fans and teammates honored Quick’s remarkable career spanning nearly two decades.
The Rangers travel to Tampa Bay on Wednesday, while the Panthers are home to host the Detroit Red Wings the same night.
