Panthers score 8, cruise to win against Predators

NASHVILLE -- A.J. Greer had two goals and an assist for the Florida Panthers in an 8-3 win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.

Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and two assists, and Gustav Forsling and Evan Rodrigues each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers (12-9-1), who have won five of seven (5-2-0). Daniil Tarasov made 36 saves.

“All our offense was when we kept it simple,” Reinhart said. “[Tarasov] played big when he had to, we made some good plays defensively. So I mean all around, it was a good effort.”

Florida had 12 players who recorded at least one point.

“I think we’re finding a different way to do it,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “We’ve had to. So we’re a little bit more dynamic in the offensive zone than we’ve been in the past. We’re still pretty legitimate off the rush, but I think that these guys, they’re all-in. They work at it every day.”

Filip Forsberg, Fedor Svechkov and Nick Blankenburg scored for the Predators (6-12-4), who have lost eight of their past nine (1-6-2). Juuse Saros allowed five goals on 16 shots before being replaced early in the second period by Justus Annunen, who stopped seven of 10 shots in relief.

“It’s a very urgent situation we’re in,” Forsberg said. “I thought we played really good two nights ago against [the Colorado Avalanche], but then we show up like we did in the first. They could’ve probably even scored a couple more even though it was 4-2.”

Greer gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead 11 seconds into the game on a one-timer off a pass from behind the net by Verhaeghe.

“A.J. has been a nice complement there because I think you’ve seen Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe, they look faster,” Maurice said. “Another guy with great speed on that line. They get through the neutral zone really, really quick. They’re all strong, wiry men and hard on pucks. Happy that they got a reward.”

Rodrigues extended it to 2-0 at 5:42 of the first period on a rebound.

Forsberg cut it to 2-1 at 6:52 on a redirection of a backhand pass from the corner by Luke Evangelista, and Svechkov tied it 2-2 at 10:32 on a rebound.

“It’s just a horrible game,” Nashville captain Roman Josi said. “Right from the first period, we just played poorly. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain. We have a good effort against Colorado and we come back with that. I wish I knew why, but it’s not acceptable. We can’t play like that and think we can win.”

Jesper Boqvist put Florida back ahead 3-2 at 11:31 with a wrist shot on a partial breakaway off a pass from Forsling.

Sam Bennett extended it to 4-2 at 15:46 after Svechkov’s clearing attempt went in off his skate.

“The big thing for us is no matter who is out, who is playing on what line, we’re all creating offense the same ways,” Reinhart said. “We’re defensive first, which creates plays for us, creates time and space. That’s where all our offense comes from.”

Forsling pushed it to 5-2 at 1:24 of the second period on a wrist shot from the point that deflected off Predators defenseman Nick Perbix. Saros was then pulled for Annunen.

Blankenburg’s power-play goal cut it to 5-3 at 2:11 of the third period, but Greer scored his second goal with a wrist shot from the slot to make it 6-3 at 4:52.

Reinhart extended it to 7-3 at 8:33 on the rebound of a shot by Rodrigues, and Verhaeghe made it 8-3 at 12:49.

“I think just as a line we’re all jumping into holes,” Reinhart said. “We’re all playing with some urgency. Like I said, that’s where time and space comes from and that’s when we’re able to make some plays. We’re all kind of reading well off of each other and jumping to those holes and really wanting the puck.”

NOTES: Greer’s first goal was the fastest to begin a game this season. … Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad returned to the lineup after missing one game because of an upper-body injury. He finished with one assist in 21:36 of ice time. … The Panthers scored eight goals for the second time this month, having also done so in an 8-5 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 17.