FLORIDA PANTHERS vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
APRIL 4, 2021
BB&T Center – Sunrise, Fla.
| FLORIDA PANTHERS | COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS |
| 3 | 0 |
[OVERTIME]
- The Panthers won their season-high sixth consecutive game, their fifth straight win on home ice. Florida owns the most points (56) among NHL teams and is tied for the most wins (26).
- Florida’s six-game win streak is their longest since they won six straight games from Jan. 9-Jan. 21, 2020, and is the NHL’s longest active win streak.
- Chris Driedger recorded his third career shutout and second of the season. He stopped all 32 CBJ shots, a personal career-high for saves in a shutout.
- The shutout marked Driedger’s third straight win and his second shutout in his past five games. Over that span (since March 20), he owns a 4-1-0 record, .959 save percentage and 1.20 goals against average.
- Aleksander Barkov registered two points (1-1-2), extending his point streak to two games (1-2-3). His goal was his 116th career even-strength goal, surpassing Olli Jokinen (115) for second-most even-strength goals scored in franchise history.
- MacKenzie Weegar produced two assists, his fifth multi-point game of the season. He led Florida with four blocked shots and 24:43 TOI. His 22 even-strength points are tied for second-most among NHL defensemen this season.
- Frank Vatrano scored his 13th goal of the season, extending his point streak to three games (3-2-5). The goal was his team-leading eighth third-period tally, tied for second-most third-period goals among NHL skaters this season.
- Gustav Forsling tallied his third goal of the season, extending his point streak to a career-high four games (1-3-4).
- Patric Hornqvist notched an assist for the second consecutive game.
- Florida killed off all three CBJ power-play opportunities.
- The Panthers out-shot CBJ 35-32, led by Patric Hornqvist and Aleksander Barkov (5 each).
PANTHERS POSTGAME QUOTES – APRIL 4, 2021
Head Coach Joel Quenneville
“I think we’re getting basic contributions across the board. Our back end’s been real solid, goaltending’s been very consistent. Whether they’re making big saves, just stopping everything they’re supposed to, and enhanced saves on top of that as well.”
“It’s not just one guy, everybody’s been sharing the responsibility of getting the job done.”
“I like how he [defenseman Matt Kiersted] has a feel for the game, got a real good understanding of when to pressure, when to go, sees plays and makes plays. Not too many defensemen have that ability to fit in and all of a sudden look like they’ve played the game like he’s jumped a couple levels and handled it the way that he did.”
“I think the more fun you have is when you work hard. The harder you work, the more fun you have. I think playing the right way is basically a result of working hard.”
Defenseman Gustav Forsling
“Real good pass by Barky [forward Aleksander Barkov] , he’s such a good player, he always has his head up and finds players. (I) just had to walk in there and shoot.”
“Just proving that I deserve to be there, and keep playing like we’ve been doing. It’s very easy to play with (MacKenzie) Weegar, he’s been so good out there and it’s easy to play with him. It’s really fun to be out there with him.”
“I felt like I came to a good group of guys and they really took me in from the start. We’re just having fun out there right now.”
Forward Aleksander Barkov
“Playing with these linemates and this team makes it easy for me.”
“It feels great (to be in first place). You can see it in our locker room, everyone is having fun doing this, coming to the rink and playing games and giving everything you have. That’s why we’re having success.”
“We have a lot of fun, we play the right way, and we enjoy playing the right way. The goalies are playing really well, giving us a chance all the time to win the game, keeping us in it. Defensemen playing really well, playing the right way, and same thing with the forwards.”
Goaltender Chris Driedger
“We were incredible defensively. In the first two periods we really locked things down. I didn’t see a whole lot until their final push at the end there. Shout out to the guys, Forsy [defenseman Gustav Forsling] and Weegs [defenseman MacKenzie Weegar], rock solid back there.”
“Getting those goals in the third is always huge, it gives us more confidence. Makes me smile, because I know we’re likely coming away with the (win), so great job.”
“Honestly I think our team is playing fantastic. I try and just do the same stuff every game. Tonight, for instance, I felt good…It’s been good, the guys have been locking it down defensively.”
