The Florida Panthers clawed their way to a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night at T-Mobile Arena, keeping their playoff hopes flickering amid a gritty road trip. Brad Marchand, the Panthers' veteran forward, lit up the scoreboard again, stretching his goal-scoring streak to an impressive five games with his sixth tally in that span. It's been a hot run for Marchand, who's notched points in eight straight, proving he's still got that edge even as the league toughens up.
Vegas, meanwhile, couldn't shake off their slump, dropping their third consecutive game and sitting at 1-3-1 through a frustrating homestand. The Golden Knights, with a record of 7-4-4, mounted a late push in the third period—thanks to goals from Tomas Hertl and Ivan Barbashev—but it wasn't enough to reel in the visitors. Florida's 8-7-1 mark looks steadier now after going 2-2 out west, though their defense held firm just barely against Vegas's persistent attacks.
Defenseman Sebrango chipped in with his first two NHL points for the Panthers, a bright spot in an otherwise tense matchup between two teams chasing momentum in the standings. The Golden Knights' power play fizzled out, going zero-for-four, which might raise eyebrows among fans expecting more from their home squad.
As both teams gear up for the next grind, it's clear the Western Conference race is tightening—what does this mean for Vegas's title defense dreams?
