The Florida Panthers continued their winning ways, securing a 4-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday. Eetu Luostarinen was the standout performer, scoring twice for the first time in his NHL career, propelling the Panthers to their fourth consecutive win.
Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe each contributed with a goal and an assist, while Aaron Ekblad and Oliver Ekman-Larsson provided solid support with two assists apiece. Goalkeeper Anthony Stolarz was reliable in the net, making 18 saves for Florida (22-12-2), who were building on their recent 4-3 win against the New York Rangers.
“Things were not easy for us,” acknowledged Panthers coach Paul Maurice, praising the team’s perseverance against a defensively resilient Montreal side.
Montreal (15-15-5), however, couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, despite a goal from Cole Caufield. Jake Allen, guarding the net for the Canadiens, made 22 saves but couldn’t prevent the Panthers from scoring crucial goals, particularly in the power plays.
Luostarinen opened the scoring for Florida in the second period, demonstrating skill and agility with a power-play goal. Caufield briefly brought hope to the Canadiens, equalizing with a power-play goal of his own. However, Luostarinen’s second goal, followed by Bennett and Verhaeghe’s contributions, ensured a comfortable win for the Panthers.
The victory extends the Panthers’ dominance over the Canadiens, with Montreal losing their sixth consecutive match and 10 of their last 11 games against Florida. “They have had our number the past couple of years,” admitted Canadiens’ Allen, highlighting the challenge Montreal faces against Florida.
This win reinforces the Panthers’ status as strong contenders, showcasing their ability to maintain consistency and capitalize on power-play opportunities. For Montreal, the game serves as a reminder of the need to find strategies to overcome teams that have historically challenged them.
