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Slump Buster: Panthers Get Key Goals, Hold Off Blackhawks Power Play in Win
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- Slump Buster: Panthers Get Key Goals, Hold Off Blackhawks Power Play in Win
Panthers blackhawks
The Florida Panthers had a couple of firsts as they snapped a two-game skid against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon.
First, Sandis Vilmanis scored his first goal of the season to tie things up in the first.
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Then, with 2:23 left, Lars Eller scored his first as a member of the Panthers to break a tie and help the Panthers to a 3-2 win.
Aaron Ekblad set up the winning goal, getting the puck in the defensive zone and seeing Eller set up at the opposite blue line and feeding him while the Blackhawks made a line change.
The Panthers, who had lost the first two games of this four-game road trip by a combined 9-1, fell behind early on a Ryan Greenegoal.
Only Vilmanis — who was scratched Thursday in Pittsburgh before being moved up to the second line Sunday — made a number of strong plays to get the Panthers rolling up ice before knocking in a loose puck.
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Later in the period, Seth Jones , traded to the Panthers in 2025 for Spencer Knight , sent a power-play shot to the net that Matthew Tkachukdeflected past Knight for Florida's first lead since last Saturday night against Seattle.
Florida was able to shut down the NHL's worst power play on Sunday after giving the Blackhawks a number of opportunities including two 5-on-3s for around 50 seconds apiece.
Chicago went 0-7 with the advantage.
Akira Schmidgot the win on 20 saves; Knight made 29 in the loss.
GAMEDAY NOTES: PANTHERS at BLACKHAWKS
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Matthewand Brady Tkachukcombined on the same goal for the eighth time – the most instances by any pair of Panthers teammates this season.
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Carter Verhaegheplayed in his 500th NHL game.
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Seth Jonesplayed his first game at United Center since being traded to the Panthers around deadline time in 2025. He was hurt when Florida visited last season.
HOW THEY SCORED
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Blackhawks 1, Panthers 0 (2:34 1st): Ryan Greenewhacks at a loose puck in front of the net.
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Panthers 1, Blackhawks 1 (6:49 1st): Sandis Vilmanisgets the Panthers off on the rush and ends up getting his first goal of the season off a rebound down low.
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Panthers 2, Blackhawks 1 (14:21 1st PP): Seth Jonesthrows a point shot toward the net that comes off Matthew Tkachukand past Spencer Knight.
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Blackhawks 2, Panthers 2 (11:15 2nd): Roman Kantserovone-times one from the right circle.
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Panthers 3, Blackhawks 2 (17:37 3rd): Aaron Ekbladfinds Lars Elleralone at the blueline on a Chicago line change, and Eller charges in and beats Knight with a wrister from the right circle.
FHN'S 3 STARS
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1. Lars Eller, Panthers
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2. Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers
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3. Akira Schmid, Panthers
ON DECK: GAME 13
FLORIDA PANTHERS at WINNIPEG JETS
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When: Tuesday, 8 p.m.
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Where: Canada Life Center; Winnipeg, Manitoba
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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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Last season: Tied 1-1
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This season — At Florida: Friday. At Winnipeg: Tuesday.
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All-time regular season series: Thrashers/Jets lead 58-35-9, 5 ties
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Up Next for the Panthers: Monday, Nov. 2 vs. Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m.
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