FLORIDA PANTHERS vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
APRIL 20, 2021
BB&T Center – Sunrise, Fla.
| FLORIDA PANTHERS | COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS |
| 5 | 1 |
- The Panthers improved to 30-12-5 and have earned at least a point in each of their past five games (4-0-1). With the win, the Cats extended their home win streak to seven games, their longest since winning eight games in a row at BB&T Center Feb. 22-March 10, 2018.
- Florida finished its season series against Columbus having not lost a matchup in regulation (7-0-1).
- Spencer Knight became the first Panthers goaltender to record a win in their NHL debut. He is also the youngest goalie to earn a victory for the team in franchise history – besting Roberto Luongo’s win on Nov. 25, 2000 (21 years 235 days).
- Knight stopped all 33 shots he faced at even strength. He is the first goaltender born in the 2000’s to appear in an NHL game.
- Knight’s 33 saves are tied for third-most by a goaltender in their NHL debut this season.
- Sam Bennett tallied two goals, extending his point streak to three games (3-2-5), recording at least one point in each of his first three games since being acquired by FLA.
- Bennett is the third Panthers player this season and the 12th in franchise history to record at least a point in each of his first three games with the club (Patric Hornqvist and Carter Verhaeghe).
- Bennett led FLA with six hits.
- Jonathan Huberdeau recorded three points (1-2-3), extending his point streak to five games (2-5-7). Tonight was his fifth game this season with at least three points.
- Anthony Duclair produced three assists, tying his career high for most assists in a game. He has recorded at least a point in each of his past seven games played, amassing 10 points (3-7-10) in that span.
- Duclair’s assist on Sam Bennett’s second goal was his 100th NHL assist.
- Ryan Lomberg tallied his second goal of the season and registered third fighting major of the season against CBJ forward Kole Sherwood.
- Aleksander Barkov scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season.
- Frank Vatrano notched an assist, extending his point streak to three games (3-1-4).
- Radko Gudas posted an assist, extending his point streak to three games (1-2-3).
- 10 different Panthers recorded at least one point.
PANTHERS POSTGAME QUOTES – APRIL 20, 2021
Head Coach Joel Quenneville
“He [goaltender Spencer Knight] looked very cool and calm in the net. The way he came out and handled pucks and assessed all his options, you could see his understanding of where everybody is around the game…He tracks the puck extremely well. It was a great start for his career.”
“All three guys (Jonathan Huberdeau, Sam Bennett and Anthony Duclair) are really making it happen. It’s been fun to watch.”
“They (Carolina Hurricanes) are a good hockey team. It’s going to be very meaningful for us know that one game at a time, Thursday is going to be our biggest game of the year…It’s our crack at them because they seem to be on quite a roll right now.”
Goaltender Spencer Knight
“I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be. The guys did a good job of just keeping it light, just telling me to go out and play hockey. That’s what I tried to do and at the end of the day it’s just hockey.”
“I’m just glad to be able to contribute in a small way.”
“I think one thing I’m going to try to do going forward, is know that nothing is given to me, everything has to be earned.”
Forward Jonathan Huberdeau
“He [goaltender Spencer Knight] was solid, he’s a great goalie. We picked him in the first round so we knew he was going to be great. (He) might’ve been nervous but it didn’t show out there.”
“We’re finding chemistry out there, we’re just keeping things simple. Duke [forward Anthony Duclair] is really fast and Sam (Bennett) just goes to the net and finds the puck and puts it in.”
“When you play in the offensive zone most of the night, that’s what makes it fun, you can contribute to the success of the team. That’s what we want to do, we want to be a good second line and that’s what we’ve been doing.”
