Verhaeghe has 2 goals and an assist, leads Panthers over Oilers
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Carter Verhaeghe had two goals and an assist as the Florida Panthers bounced back from two consecutive shutouts with a 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
Sam Bennett had a goal and two assists and Brandon Montour and Aleksander Barkov also scored for the Panthers, while Sergei Bobrovsky had 38 saves.
Zach Hyman scored for the Oilers who have now lost two straight following an eight-game winning streak.
The Panthers started the scoring 5:33 into the opening period when Bennett sent the puck across the top of the crease to Verhaeghe, who put his 14th of the season past goalie Calvin Pickard who finished with 34 stops.
Verhaeghe then made a nice pass coming from behind the net to a wide-open Montour, who scored his first of the season with just over a minute to play in the first.
Just 29 seconds later, the Panthers made it 3-0 when Barkov shoveled in a rebound in tight for his 11th of the season.
Edmonton finally got on the board eight minutes into the second period as Hyman switched to his backhand and lifted his 18th of the season past Bobrovsky. Connor McDavid picked up an assist to extend his points streak to 12 games, a span during which he has netted 28 points and moved from 91st in the scoring race to sixth.
Florida restored its three-goal advantage with four minutes to play in the second period as Bennett gained the zone on the power play and drove the net, deking Pickard to score on the backhand.
The Panthers added to their lead just 21 seconds into the final frame as Verhaeghe stopped short and took his time before rifling his second of the game up high.
Edmonton had a good chance to get back into the game four minutes later when Sam Gagner was awarded a penalty shot, but Bobrovsky made the stop.
Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura returned to the lineup after missing the last 13 games with an injury.
UP NEXT
Panthers: At Calgary on Monday night to finish a five-game trip.
Oilers: At the New York Islanders on Tuesday night to open a stretch of six straight on the road.
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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL