Feb 17, 2024, 09:46 PM ET
TAMPA, Fla. — Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett each had two goals and two assists as the Florida Panthers won their franchise-record 11th consecutive road game by routing the rival Tampa Bay Lightning 9-2 on Saturday night.
Florida is now one win from matching league history, and coupled with the Boston Bruins’ loss earlier in the day, the Panthers now hold a one-point lead in the Atlantic Division. Boston is the division’s defending champion and has been the first-place tenant for most of this season.
“Over 82 (games), you’ll get one of those where it all goes in for you,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “We’ve had a lot of nights, especially earlier this year, where the puck didn’t go in for us. So, it’s good for the guys to have one of those nights.”
Florida, the defending Eastern Conference champion, matched its franchise high in goals for a road game. Florida’s scoring record is 10 goals, in a 10-5 home win over Boston on Nov. 26, 1997.
“They’re pretty rare in this league when you score so many goals,” Florida center Aleksander Barkov said. “Everyone is having fun out there and playing the right way and playing hard no matter what the score was.”
The 11-game, regular-season run is one shy of the NHL record held by the 2005-06 Detroit Red Wings and 2014-15 Minnesota Wild. The Colorado Avalanche won 15 straight, a surge that ended last season, but it included playoff games.
During its historical stretch, Florida has outscored its opponents 51-18. After a home game Tuesday vs. the Ottawa Senators, Florida will have a chance to tie that mark against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.
“I think this is a one-off,” Maurice said, when asked if the seven-goal victory against a rival sent a message to their in-state foes. “I really do. Some people are walking away with a few extra points in their pocket, but I don’t think that’s what these guys care about. It’s not what drives them. It’s a good road win for us.”
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Publish date : 2024-02-18 02:54:29
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