RECAP: Panthers make history in win over Kraken

SUNRISE, Fla. – Might be time to buy another hat.

Led by Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett’s hat tricks, the Florida Panthers defeated the Seattle Kraken 8-3 at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday.

With Carter Verhaeghe’s natural hat trick, following Brady Tkachuk’s two, the Panthers became the first team in NHL history to record a natural hat trick in three straight games.

"I thought we did a great job of getting on the forecheck, putting them under a lot of pressure, and then creating the turnovers and that was where we were able to get some chances,” Bennett said after the win.

Breaking the ice early, Bennett batted in a floating puck just 65 seconds into the game.

Assisting on the play, Matthew Tkachuk extended his point streak to eight games.

During that span, No. 19 has 14 points (3G, 11A).

“He's been unbelievable,” Bennett said of Matthew. “Hunting pucks, all over the net. He's been making great plays, and he's really just driving our offense right now. He's on top of his game right now.”

Bringing the score back to even for Seattle, Shane Wright made it 1-1 at 4:54.

Retaking the lead for the Panthers, Verhaeghe made it 2-1 at 17:56 after going top shelf on Joey Daccord.

Not stopping there, Verhaeghe picked up his second of the period on the power play at 19:07, putting the Panthers ahead 3-1.

Completing the natural hat trick in the second period, Verhaeghe potted his third at 6:02 to make it 4-1.

"Felt pretty good to get a couple and get on the board, especially on the power play there,” said Verhaeghe.

Getting in the scoring action, Niko Mikkola went bar down to push the Panthers ahead 5-1 at 6:42.

“The speed of our offensive game is coming together,” said head coach Paul Maurice. “Now you’re starting to see some chemistry start to form with different players.”

Lighting the lamp for his second time of the game, Bennett buried a feed from Brady Tkachuk to make it 6-1 at 13:13.

Ending the Panthers unanswered goal tear, Freddy Gaudreau made it 6-2 with just 55 seconds left in the period.

Sounding the goal horn in the third period, Sam Reinhart scored a power play goal from the slot at 2:25 to make it 7-2.

Scoring shortly after for the Kraken, Ryker Evans made it 7-3 at 12:07.

Sending the ice crew back on the ice to collect hats at 11:14, Bennett completed the second hat trick of the game, sealing the game at 8-3 with his third.

With the hat trick goal, Bennett recorded his 400th point of his career.

“It’s awesome getting that support from the fans and all my teammates coming up to me,” Bennett said of his point recognition. “It’s been quite a while in this league, and you can definitely appreciate all the moments.”

THEY SAID IT

“Yeah, let's keep it turned on. It feels good.” – Carter Verhaeghe on recent play

"The guys played an unbelievable game in front of me and that really helps, as well." – Jacob Markstrom on team’s play against the Kraken

“That was precautionary. I don't expect there to be any holdover on that.” – Paul Maurice on Matthew Tkachuk’s exit in the third period

CATS STATS

• Matthew and Brady Tkachuk have factored on a goal together for three straight games.
• The Panthers have four hat tricks in the last three games.
• Sam Bennett (3G), Carter Verhaeghe (3G), and Matthew Tkachuk (3A) each had three points.
• Niko Mikkola registered three shots.
• The Panthers are the first team in over 100 years to record four or more hat tricks before their 10th game of the season.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Packing up the suitcase.

The Panthers will begin a four-game road trip starting against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday.