In a matchup that echoed the intensity of their 2023 Stanley Cup Finals clash, the Florida Panthers scraped out a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena. It wasn't pretty for either side, but the Panthers managed to hold on, improving their record to 8-7-1 while handing Vegas their third straight home loss, dropping the Knights to 7-4-4.
Brad Marchand was the standout for Florida, notching a goal and an assist to push his scoring streak to an impressive five games. His highlight-reel tally in the first period set the tone, and with Sergei Bobrovsky turning aside 30 shots in net, the Panthers built a 2-0 lead early. Vegas mounted a furious third-period rally, with Tomas Hertl and Ivan Barbashev finding the net to cut the deficit, but it fell just short—outshooting Florida 12-1 in the frame yet unable to tie it.
The Golden Knights' defense looked shaky again, mirroring some sloppy stretches from earlier in the season. Coach Bruce Cassidy's squad has points in 18 games overall, but these home woes raise questions about consistency as the Pacific Division tightens. Florida, meanwhile, wraps a 2-2 western road trip on a high note, sweeping the season series against their old rivals.
For Vegas fans, it's another frustrating night in a campaign that's shown flashes of brilliance amid the bumps—what does this mean for the Knights' push toward another deep playoff run?
