Panthers Survive Kraken Comeback, Hinostroza Wins It in Shootout
SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers needed a shootout to subdue a determined Seattle Kraken side Tuesday night, ultimately prevailing 5-4 after nearly squandering a three-goal lead. Vinnie Hinostroza scored the decisive goal in the shootout, securing the win for Florida and marking a milestone night for head coach Paul Maurice.
The game, played before a crowd of 19,043 at Amerant Bank Arena, saw the Panthers build a comfortable 4-1 advantage before a furious Seattle rally forced overtime. Sergei Bobrovsky proved crucial in net for Florida, stopping all three Kraken shooters in the shootout after a 3-for-3 performance during the game itself.
Kraken Mount Dramatic Third-Period Comeback
Florida appeared to be in control for much of the evening. Nolan Foote opened the scoring in the second period, and goals from Eetu Luostarinen, Carter Verhaeghe, and Noah Gregor extended the lead to 4-1 early in the third. However, the Kraken refused to go quietly.
Seattle began their comeback with a goal from Ryker Evans at 14:17 of the third period. Just 14 seconds later, Jordan Eberle scored, and Bobby McMann followed immediately after, tying the game at 4-4 with 3:22 remaining in regulation. The sudden shift in momentum forced the Panthers to dig deep.
“They just kept coming,” said Panthers coach Paul Maurice, as reported by Florida Hockey Now. “We got a little bit passive, and they took advantage of it. Bobrovsky was outstanding to get us to the shootout.”
Shootout Decides a Thrilling Contest
Despite outshooting the Kraken 24-26 the Panthers couldn’t locate the back of the net during a tense overtime period, with Joey Daccord turning aside all four Florida attempts. Bobrovsky, however, was up to the task in the shootout, denying Eberle, Beniers, and McMann. Hinostroza then calmly slotted the winning goal, securing the victory for the Panthers.
The win was particularly special for Maurice, who reached a significant milestone, coaching his 2,000th NHL game. The team acknowledged the achievement during a break in the first period, honoring the veteran coach.
Key Performances and Standout Players
Hinostroza’s shootout winner earned him first-star honors, while Gregor, who scored his fourth goal of the season, was named second star. Eberle’s performance in Seattle’s comeback earned him the third-star selection.
For the Kraken, the loss continues a frustrating losing streak, though they did manage to salvage a point with their comeback. Matty Beniers, Eberle, and McMann all found the back of the net during the third-period surge, demonstrating the team’s resilience.
Looking Ahead
The Panthers (record not provided) will look to build on this hard-fought victory as they prepare to face (next opponent not provided). The Kraken (record not provided) will aim to break their losing streak when they (next opponent not provided).
This game underscored the unpredictable nature of the NHL, where a seemingly comfortable lead can vanish in a matter of minutes. The Panthers’ ability to withstand the Kraken’s onslaught and ultimately prevail in the shootout speaks to their character, and resilience.
The Panthers’ next game is scheduled for (date and time not provided). Fans can find the latest updates and information on the team’s official website: (official website not provided).
