The Florida Panthers defeated the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena. The Panthers will improve to 7-6-1 on the season and pick up two points on the road. Forward Sam Bennett started the scoring for the Panthers. The Kings nearly tied the game right after Adrian Kempe got on a breakaway, but was brick-walled by Bobrovsky.
Florida Panthers Kept Adding to the Lead
After Sam Bennett opening the scoring in the game the LA Kings did tie the game 2-2 after the first period but the Florida Panthers pulled away as the game went on with Brad Marchand scoring two goals, Anton Lundell with a breakaway goal and Sam Reinhart scoring for the Panthers.
“We’ve been a good road team, and we know we’re a better road team than we have played so far, so it was a big win for the team today,” Anton Lundell said after the win. The Panthers have been struggling as of late to find the back of the net in games but with keeping their game simple has been helpful.
The Panthers started the road trip in Anaheim, where they are simply good at not getting a hold of their style of play, and ended up in trouble in the penalty box, giving the Ducks plenty of opportunities. The Ducks ended up winning 7-3 on Tuesday night, but now with the Florida Panthers getting a win in Los Angeles was a big 2 points.
Goaltender Sergi Bobrovsky said after the LA Kings game that it was “Important for us to reset, refocus and get back to our simple game, our style.” Anton Lundell has won 55.6% of his faceoffs, Evan Rodrigues had a team-high five shots, and the Panthers led 6-1 in scoring chances in the second period.
Ahead for the Cats
The Panthers’ last stop in the California road trip is taking on the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at 10 p.m. ET. The Panthers will need to find a way to slow down star forward Macklin Celebrini, who leads the Sharks with eight goals this season. The Panthers would love to get another two points before heading to Las Vegas for their last road game.
The Panthers will be heading home after facing the Golden Knights for a big five-game home stand that will not be easy against the teams they will be facing, including a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers.
