Vatrano scores overtime goal, Panthers over Blackhawks 5-4
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Frank Vatrano scored 2:50 into overtime, and the Florida Panthers beat the winless Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 on Tuesday night.
Patric Hornqvist and Carter Verhaeghe each scored two goals for Florida (2-0-0). Keith Yandle had two assists.
Hornqvist, who was acquired in a September trade with Pittsburgh, has three goals and an assist in the first two games.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 29 saves for Florida in his first start of the season, but the two-time Vezina Trophy winner was a bit rusty.
The 32-year-old Bobrovsky, who is in the second year of a seven-year, $70 million contract, was deemed “unfit to play” during most of training camp. He had a .900 save percentage last season, the second-worst of his career.
Dominik Kubalik scored his first two goals of the year for Chicago, which has dropped its first four games of the pandemic-shortened season. Patrick Kane also scored, and Phillipp Kurashev posted his first NHL goal. Kevin Lankinen stopped 23 shots in his first NHL start.
Kurashev’s shot from the high slot gave the Blackhawks a 4-3 lead with 13:54 left, their first lead of the season. Hornqvist tied it at 4 with his second power-play goal.
THE STREAK CONTINUES
Yandle, whose status coming into the season was uncertain, played in his 868th consecutive game, the longest active streak and fourth longest in NHL history. Yandle has not missed a game since March 22, 2009, when he was with the Arizona Coyotes.
NO GO
Bobrovsky stopped Kane on a penalty shot in the second.
ATTENDANCE
The Panthers are one of only three teams to allow fans. They allow up to 25% capacity and attendance was 3,667 on Tuesday.
UP NEXT
The Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
The Panthers visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday.
