RECAP: Flyers 2, Panthers 1

SUNRISE, Fla. – A last-minute goal deprived the Florida Panthers of picking up at least a point in a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday.

Still sitting atop the standings in the NHL with a record of 43-17-4, the loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Panthers, who’ve gone an outstanding 19-3-0 since Jan. 22.

For a team that’s done a lot of winning lately, there are still good lessons to learn in losses.

“I think the Flyers play like us,” Panthers forward Anton Lundell said. “It’s hard to play against them. You need to be at your best and have some patience because there’s not going to be chances every shift. You need to keep grinding, and when you get the chance you need to be ready.”

The first period came and went with no goals for either side. After 20 minutes, the Panthers led 12-6 in shots, while also owning a 25-14 edge in shot attempts. Helping keep the game scoreless, both goaltenders shut down a breakaway attempt at one point during the period.

Sergei Bobrovsky stoned Travis Konecny, while Samuel Ersson stopped Sam Reinhart.

Breaking the ice, Ryan Poehling cut to the net and roofed a shot over Bobrovsky’s blocker into the top of the cage to put the Flyers on top 1-0 just 10 seconds into the second period.

On the same day he inked an eight-year extension, Gustav Forsling evened the score for the Panthers when he wired a point shot into the cage through heavy traffic make it 1-1 at 7:12.

From being picked up on waivers in 2021 to becoming one of the top two-way blueliners in the NHL, Forsling said he’s grateful to spend the prime years of his career in South Florida.

“It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for everything this organization has done for me,” said Forsling, who boasts an NHL-best +44 rating. “I just remember getting the call when I got picked up off waivers. I really wanted to take [advantage of] that opportunity.”

Despite Bobrovsky standing tall – including making a huge stop on Sean Couturier after a turnover in the defensive zone late in the third period – Garnet Hathaway put the Flyers up 2-1 late when he potted a rebound from the left side of the net with 21.3 seconds left.

In a game in which they likely deserved a point, the Panthers instead were left with none.

Still, players felt the game was a good tune-up for what’s to come.

“They play a very tight game,” Forsling said. “That’s how it is in the playoffs. It’s perfect practice for us. We want to build on this.”

Giving up two or fewer goals for the 12^th straight game, Bobrovsky finished with 24 saves, while Ersson, who’s allowed just two goals in two starts against Florida, stopped 29 shots.

Making his debut with the Panthers, Vladimir Tarasenko, acquired from the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, tallied two shots on goal and two hits over 15:09 of ice time.

“I liked the small things that he did that are non-skill related,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said of the team's new addition. “The skill is there. I’m not worried about any of that. He blocked some shots and picked up some reads very quickly with a lot of new systems.”

THEY SAID IT

“Everybody knows what [Vladimir Tarasenko] has done in the past. We’re lucky to have him on our team, for sure. It’s fun to see a guy like that that wants to come here. We’ll try to help him in any way we can. The building starts.” – Anton Lundell

“Guys want to come here and play. It’s very exciting right now.” – Gustav Forsling

“I thought our mindset was originally right. I thought we did a pretty good job grinding it through. It was that kind of game. We knew going in it wasn’t going to be easy for us. It didn’t look like we had a lot in the tank.” – Paul Maurice

CATS STATS

- The Panthers led 66-58 in shot attempts.

- Sergei Bobrovsky made four high-danger saves, per NaturalStatTrick.com.

- Anton Lundell went 8-for-12 (66.7%) in the faceoff circle.

- Oliver Ekman-Larsson notched a team-high seven hits.

- Sam Reinhart led Florida’s forward with three blocked shots.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Panthers will look to get back in the win column when they host the Calgary Flames at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

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