Matthew Tkachuk scored a goal and had two assists during the Florida’s four-goal second period as the Panthers cruised past the Ottawa Senators 5-1 in Sunrise, Fla., on Saturday night.
Aleksander Barkov, Gustav Forsling and Sam Bennett also scored during a break-out second for the Panthers, who have won eight of 11 — and five straight at home — entering the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Tkachuk extended his goal streak to six games and has 13 points during that stretch.
Matthew’s brother Brady scored for Ottawa, which went 0-3-0 at Tampa Bay and Florida after winning five straight. Linus Ullmark made 43 saves for the Senators, who allowed a season-high 48 shots on goal.
Florida recorded nine of the game’s first 10 shots on goal, but Ottawa’s initial chance provided some early excitement. Right out of penalty box, Brady Tkachuk found himself with puck on a breakaway, but Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky (26 saves) made the stop.
However, Brady Tkachuk didn’t miss with 13:22 left in the first period. On the power play, he camped out to the side of the Florida net, took a pass from Drake Batherson and found enough of an opening to slide the puck by Bobrovsky.
Brother Matthew began Florida’s scoring barrage 6:18 into the second. On the power play, he posed to pass, then beat Ullmark on the far side.
Tkachuk set up Florida’s go-ahead goal with 8:24 left in the second. On a delayed penalty with the extra attacker on the ice, Tkachuk sent the puck toward the net where Barkov, in the high slot, deflected it past Ullmark.
The Panthers made it 3-1 with 3:34 remaining in the middle frame. On the transition, Forsling streaked from his own zone, through neutral ice, then successfully fired the puck from the top of the circles.
Florida added on roughly 1:30 later via a brilliant three-on-two to cap that stretch of three goals in 6:22. In the Ottawa zone, Evan Rodrigues dropped the puck for Tkachuk to connect with Bennett, who slapped it past Ullmark.
Sam Reinhart recorded an assist for his 600th point and Anton Lundell added an empty-netter for Florida.
–Field Level Media
