Takeaways: Panthers lose in Overtime to Ducks

SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers dropped their second straight game on Monday, losing 5-4 in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks. 

 

The Ducks overcame two, two-goal deficits as they handed the Panthers their second consecutive loss. 

 

Alex Killorn scored twice, including the OT winner as the Ducks picked up their 15th win of the season. 

 

Florida dropped to 27-13-3 with the loss.

 

Here’s three game takeaways.

 

Sam Bennett lights the lamp twice

Panthers forward Sam Bennett scored twice on Monday — leading all Panthers in goals

 

Bennett opened the game’s scoring on the power play with his ninth goal of the season 8:29 into the first.

 

He would score his tenth of the season 12:49 into the second — giving the Panthers a 4-2 lead. 

 

“I think our line is finding our chemistry that we ended the year with,” Bennett said. “We’re feeling good together. We’re making plays again and I’m enjoying playing with those guys.” 

 

The Bennett, Verhaeghe, Tkachuk line combined for five points.

 

“Well they’re going,” coach Paul Maurice spoke of the line, “We’ve got that line going, we’re gonna get the Lundell line going.”

 

Special Teams Puck 

Monday’s matinee wasn’t forgiving for those who don’t play special teams minutes.

 

There were a total of nine power plays and 15 penalties between the sides. The Ducks went to the man-advantage five times to the Panthers’ four. 

 

Both teams scored once while shorthanded. The Panthers won the power play battle, capitalizing twice with the extra man. Anaheim went 0/5 on the powerplay.

 

While the Panthers PK continued their stronghold and the power play scored multiple goals, it still wasn’t enough on Monday for the Panthers.

 

No lead Too Big, No Lead Too Safe

The earlier than usual start time (1 p.m. puck drop) led to an even more unusual game.

 

Florida opened the game with consecutive goals from the Sams — Bennett and Reinhart. 

 

Considering how solid the Panthers have been defensively this season, the early 2-0 lead looked to be the beginning of a runaway.

 

That was until Alex Killorn got the Ducks on the board with 4 seconds remaining in the first — on just their fourth shot of the game. 

 

Anaheim would carry the momentum of Killorn’s late goal into the second.

 

Adam Henrique scored his 11th goal of the season 5:24 into the period — tying the game at 2-2.

 

“I think we took it too lightly,” Bennett said. “We got up by a couple goals and started playing a little too comfortable.”

 

Florida didn’t let the erasure of their two goal lead affect them too much however.  

 

Carter Verheaghe reclaimed the Panthers lead with his 23rd goal of the year 9:36 into the period. Bennett would once again double Florida’s lead three minutes later with his second of the game.

 

The Panthers lost their first two-goal advantage, but after getting it back, surely it wouldn’t happen again. 

 

It happened again. 

 

Jakob Silfverberg cut the deficit to one before the second intermission, then Troy Terry tied the game 3:45 into the third. 

 

 “I think we weren’t playing hard enough,” Verheaghe said. “I think we were a little sloppy in some areas. We got a little run and gun.”

 

Florida would pick up a point in overtime, but the Ducks took the win off of Alex Killorn’s game winner. 

 

Panthers Notes

Captain Aleksander Barkov didn’t play in the final five-plus minutes on Monday. Coach Paul Maurice said it was a precautionary move and that they expect him to play Wednesday against Detroit.