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Vilmanis Uses the Force, Panthers Strike Back in Win Over Blackhawks
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- Vilmanis Uses the Force, Panthers Strike Back in Win Over Blackhawks
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SUNRISE— The Florida Panthers celebrated mostly dry parking lots and Star Wars NIght with a bounceback win over the Chicago Blackhawks thanks in part to a breakout game from Sandis Vilmanis on Wednesday.
It did not come easy, however.
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The Panthers scored the first three goals of the night and took care of the Blackhawks with a 5-3 win.
Florida had a 3-0 lead before the Blackhawks closed to within a goal twice in the third.
Florida, coming off a loss to the Red Wings, have won seven of 10 and head back on the road for three games starting Saturday in Washington.
Vilmanis not only had his first multi-point game in his NHL career but scored twice in the win — including in the third to boost Florida's lead back to two.
Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and assisted on another, with Sam Reinhart scoring an empty-net goal while having two assists.
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Seth Jones scored on Spencer Knight — whom Florida gave up for the defenseman in 2025 — with Jacob Markstrommaking 18 saves.
Jones has 19 points off three goals in his first 16 games of the season.
NOTES: BLACKHAWKS AT PANTHERS
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Sam Reinhart recorded his 202nd assist with the Panthers to pass Keith Yandle for eighth place on the franchise's all-time list . Reinhart also became the fastest player to 400 career points in 401 games with Panthers, besting the previous mark set by Sasha Barkov (465).
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With his empty-net goal, Reinhart tied Jonathan Huberdeau (198) for second in Panthers history .
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Verhaeghe had a hand in the first two goals Wednesday, his 43rd career multi-point period with the Panthers – one more than Reinhart for fifth-most in franchise history. Barkov has 100 of them.
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Vilmanis had the first multi-point game of his short NHL career with two goals and two assists. He came into the game with a goal and two assists in 14 games this season.
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Niko Mikkolaleft the game in the third period with an undisclosed injury. Paul Mauricesaid Mikkola, who returned for a single shift midway through the third, was OK.
GOALS OF THE GAME
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Panthers 1, Blackhawks 0 (4:43 1st): After Teuvo Teravainenlost the puck in the neutral zone, Florida came up on the rush with Sam Reinhartslicing a slick feed to a charging Sandis Vilmanisfor the initial lead.
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Panthers 2, Blackhawks 0 (12:29 1st PP): Matthew Tkachukgets things going by sending a pass to Brady Tkachukin front of the net. Brady then sends a between-the-skates pass to a waiting Carter Verhaeghewho pops it over Spencer Knight.
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Panthers 3, Blackhawks 0 (13:20 2nd):Vilmanis sends a sharp cross-ice pass over to a waiting Seth Joneswho beats trade-pal Knight with a one-timer.
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Panthers 3, Blackhawks 1 (16:48 2nd):The Blackhawks forced a turnover with Ethan Del Mastrofiring off a sharp-angled shot that Jacob Markstromstopped — only Roman Kantserovwas right in front for the rebound.
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Panthers 3, Blackhawks 2 (9:31 3rd SH): Frank Nazarbreaks out on a turnover, drives in and beats Markstrom with a backhander.
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Panthers 4, Blackhawks 2 (11:01 3rd):The Panthers won the faceoff in the Chicago zone, but the Blackhawks could not clear it and Vilmanis grabbed the loose puck in the left circle and scored his second.
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Panthers 4, Blackhawks 3 (16:09 3rd):Nazar got his second of the night, sending a long wrist shot over the stick of Markstrom.
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Panthers 5, Blackhawks 3 (18:33 3rd EN):Reinhart ices it for the Panthers and gets a 3-point night.
FHN'S 3 STARS
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1. Sandis Vilmanis, Panthers
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2. Sam Reinhart, Panthers
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3. Frank Nazar, Blackhawks
ON DECK: GAME No. 17
FLORIDA PANTHERS at WASHINGTON CAPITALS
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When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
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Where: Capital One Arena; Washington, DC
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Streaming: Panthers+ ; ESPN+
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Radio: WQAM; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM. Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM, NHL App
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This Season — At Washington: Saturday; Nov. 27. At Florida:Feb. 3
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Last Season: Panthers won 3-0
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All-time Regular Season Series: Washington leads 70-49-14, 9 ties
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Up Next for the Panthers: Sunday vs. Boston Bruins, 1 p.m.
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