Florida Panthers Take Care Of Business Against Struggling Sharks

Florida Panthers Struggling Sharks

Dec 7, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images


Sunrise, FL – The Florida Panthers took care of business against a struggling San Jose Sharks team in a 3-1 victory.

Matthew Tkachuk notched the first two goals for Florida on Saturday, while Aleksander Barkov put them up 3-0. 

It was Paul Maurice’s 111th win as Panthers head coach, passing Jacques Martin for most in franchise history.

Tkachuk Continues Streak

Tkachuk’s stick is still hot. He’s scored five goals in his last three games, which is the amount he had in his first 23 games of the season. He also has 11 points in those three games, thanks to a four-assist night against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.

He was responsible for Florida’s first two goals in Saturday’s win. The first was a hard-fought whack into the back of the net 23 seconds into the game. The second was a shot from the side of the crease that went off goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood’s shoulder and into the net.

“We go back, with our team, to the Toronto game, where we didn’t love where we were at,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said. “And then your leadership steps up. And his hands are just on fire right now. He’s done some great things with the puck. That’s the other parts of the game that really drive us. So I think he’s gone on a bit of a heater, but he’s been going pretty good for our last six (games).”

Shot Flurry

The Panthers peppered Blackwood with shots all night. They threw 53 shots on net Saturday, having averaged just a shade under 30 per game coming into the game.

It wasn’t all for a lack of effort from the Sharks. San Jose blocked 20 shots. But still, there were many more open shooting lanes than closed ones.

Natural Stat Trick said the Panthers had 5.21 expected goals.

“Just work hard,” Aleksander Barkov said. “That’s our game. We try to play as much as possible in the offensive zone and put a lot of pucks at the net. And I think we did a pretty good job today. Obviously, the goalie is really, really good, and it’s really hard to get past him. But when you put that many shots, you have a good chance to score a few.”

Blackwood was good, indeed. Even after the Panthers controlled play in the first period and outshot the Sharks 13-6, Florida was only up 1-0. He finished with 49 total saves. But Barkov and the rest of the team knew they had to just keep chipping away. 

“We never want to change our game, no matter what the score is. Even if it’s 1-0 to them, or 2-0 to them. We just want to keep doing our thing, and that’s what we need to be successful.”

Barkov himself scored in the second period to give Florida a 3-0 lead. It was a high-angle wrister from below the faceoff circle on a power play. 

Bobrovsky Returns

Sergei Bobrovsky almost had the perfect ending to a crazy week. The Panthers goaltender missed two games for the birth of his second daughter. Aside from a garbage-time goal from the Sharks with 1:25 remaining, he was a brick wall.

He had stopped 26 shots until that moment, including 10 on the penalty kill. Natural Stat Trick said the Sharks had 3.85 expected goals. Instead, they had to settle for the one.

“It’s a blessing to be part of, and to see my second daughter born,” Bobrovsky said. “So it’s a unique experience. And I’m happy to be there with my wife, and now I’m happy to be here with my other family.”

(Visited 27 times, 1 visits today)