Panthers Win Four Straight, Defeat Canadiens 4-1

SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers ended 2023 with another win, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday night. 

Eetu Luostarinen had two goals, including the game winner and Anthony Stolarz had 18 saves in his fifth win of the season. The Panthers improved to 22-12-2.

Here’s three takeaways.

Two Power play goals for Luostarinen 

After a scoreless first period, Eetu Luosatrinen gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead on the power play 4:05 into the second.

While falling backwards, Luostarinen batted a puck from midair past Canadiens’ goaltender  Jake Allen for his sixth goal of the season. 

Cole Caufield would answer back for Montreal with his own power play goal at the 7:05 mark of the period —  tying the game at 1 -1. 

The score would remain the same up to the 7:34 mark of the third period. On Florida’s third power play of the night, Luostarinen would score his second goal of the night, also coming on the powerplay. Florida went up 2-1. 

When on the power play, Luostarinen is usually out with the second unit, so the chance to get a pair of special team’s goals doesn’t come too often. Saturday was also the first multi-goal game of Luostarinen’s career.

“Obviously it’s nice to be on that power play and taking advantage of it,” Luostarinen said. 

The Panthers went 2/3 on the man-advantage.

Panthers’ fourth line has solid game

Florida’s fourth line of Will Lockwood, Kevin Stenlund and Ryan Lomberg have gelled nicely together since being put together two weeks ago.

On their first shift of the game, Lockwood dropped the gloves with Montreal’s Micheal Pezzeta — who has about 35 pounds on him.

“He’s doing everything he possibly can to become a permanent fixture here,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “He shows up on that wing and all of a sudden that line’s got an identity.”

The trio combined for 6 of Florida’s 26 total shots on goal, with Lomberg’s four shots all Panthers skaters.

“I enjoy sending them on the ice,” Maurice added. “I’m looking forward to see what’s going to happen. I know they’re going to go fast and who knows what else is going to happen. It’s fun to watch.”

Maurice has spoken highly of this line for the last few weeks now. It looks like they’ll be sticking together for a bit.

Florida wins four straight 

Just two weeks ago, the Panthers were in the middle of their worst stretch of hockey all season.

Florida was 1-4-0 from Dec. 12-21, scoring just twice in the four losses. 

On Dec. 23, with the Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights in town, the Panthers played one of their better games of the season, leading to a 4-2 win. 

The Panthers would then win their next three contests, beating the Lightning on the road and then both the Rangers and the Canadiens at home. 

Winners of their last four to end 2023, the Panthers are standing near the top of the Eastern conference with 46 points in 36 games — only behind the Rangers and Bruins.

“Our team’s playing really good hockey right now,” Sam Bennett said. “We’ll have some confidence going into this road trip for sure.”

This stretch of wins is huge going forward as the Panthers will be on the road for their next four games, all against quality opponents; Coyotes, Golden Knights, Avalanche and the Blues. 

Panthers Notes

Eetu Luostarinen scored twice, Sam Bennett had the Panthers’ third goal and Carter Verhaeghe iced it away with an empty netter in the 4-1 win. 

The Panthers next game will be Jan. 2 in Arizona against the Coyotes.