Brady Tkachuk’s Natural Hat Trick Powers Panthers Past Blue Jackets 7-3/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Brady Tkachuk scored three consecutive second-period goals as the Florida Panthers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 Tuesday night. Matthew Tkachuk matched the franchise record with five assists, while Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart each scored twice. Florida ended a two-game losing streak as Columbus continued to struggle on the penalty kill.
Quick Look
- Final score: Florida beat Columbus 7-3.
- Brady’s breakthrough: His natural hat trick included his first goal of the season and two power-play goals.
- Matthew’s record: Five assists matched the club record, including a franchise-first four-assist period.
- Additional scoring: Verhaeghe and Reinhart each contributed two goals.
- Reinhart milestone: He set Florida’s career power-play goals record with his 86th.
- Goaltending: Akira Schmid made 24 saves for the Panthers.
- Next games: Florida hosts Vancouver Thursday; Columbus hosts the Rangers Saturday.
Deep Look
Tkachuk Brothers Lead Panthers’ Offensive Outburst
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Brady Tkachuk scored a natural hat trick in the second period, and Matthew Tkachuk tied a franchise record with five assists as the Florida Panthers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 Tuesday.
The victory ended Florida’s two-game skid.
Carter Verhaeghe scored twice, while Sam Reinhart added two goals and an assist.
Reinhart extended his point streak against Columbus to a franchise-record 12 games.
Matthew Tkachuk Sets Single-Period Assist Mark
Matthew assisted on all three of Brady’s goals and on Verhaeghe’s second-period goal.
His four assists in the period were a first in Panthers history. He also extended his overall point streak to six games.
Brady became the ninth Florida player to score three goals in one period.
Both brothers recorded four points in the second, becoming the third and fourth Panthers players to achieve a four-point period.
Seth Jones added four assists.
Brady’s Three Goals Turn Early Deficit Into Lead
Columbus opened the scoring on Kent Johnson’s unassisted goal at 14:11 of the first period.
Florida took control in the second.
Brady capitalized on a Carson Soucy turnover in the Panthers’ zone and tied the game at 2:27 with his first goal of the season.
He scored on the power play approximately three and a half minutes later, then added another power-play goal at 10:30.
It was his fourth career hat trick and his second against Columbus.
Blue Jackets’ Penalty Troubles Help Florida Pull Away
Mathieu Olivier received a major penalty and game misconduct for slashing Uvis Balinskis at 13:44 of the second period.
The resulting five-minute power play produced a Verhaeghe goal.
Reinhart scored another power-play goal 1:20 into the third, establishing a Panthers record with 86 career goals on the man advantage.
Columbus has allowed seven power-play goals in 18 opportunities and has lost three of its past four games.
Schmid Makes 24 Saves as Columbus Changes Goalies
Akira Schmid stopped 24 shots for Floridaone night after replacing Jacob Markstrom following the first period of a loss at Buffalo.
Columbus starter Cam Talbot made 17 saves before leaving after allowing his sixth goal at 3:28 of the third period.
Jet Greaves stopped four shots in relief.
Denton Mateychuk and Cole Sillinger scored 22 seconds apart in the third to cut Florida’s lead to 6-3.
Reinhart added an empty-net goal to complete the scoring.
Damon Severson recorded two assists for Columbus.
Panthers Extend Strong Record Against Blue Jackets
Florida improved to 11-2-0 against Columbus since the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
The Panthers return home to face Vancouver on Thursday.
The Blue Jackets will host the New York Rangers on Saturday.
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