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Florida Panthers vs Colorado Avalanche
The new year of 2025 for the Florida Panthers has started with a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes followed by a victory defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in a shootout 3-2. The Panthers currently sit second in their division and fifth in the Eastern Conference. Florida would travel out west for a rematch of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche enter this game also 1-1 into the new year with a win against the Buffalo Sabres 6-5 in overtime and a loss to the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in a shootout.
In the first period of this game it was Carter Verhaeghe earning his 10th goal of the season in what was an amazing goal assisted by Lundell. This would give the Panthers the 1-0 lead and would be the only goal of the night for Florida. It was history for Nate Schmidt as he played in his 700th NHL game. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 31 shots on the night. Florida and Colorado both struggled from the power play combining for 0-7.
The Colorado Avalanche would find the back of the net in the second period with Devon Toews earning his fourth goal of the season assisted by Mittelstadt. This would equalize the game 1-1 with not much time left remaining in the period for any more goals. Mackenzie Blackwood for Colorado finished the night with 26 saves as he continues to impress after being signed from the San Jose Sharks. With Blackwood in net the Avalanche are 7-1-1.
The Avalanche took advantage in the third period with Toews adding another goal securing himself a brace giving his team the lead 2-1. Matthew Tkachuk had a chance to equalize with just six minutes but would be denied by Blackwood. The Panthers leave the net empty trying to find the equalizer but would not work out with Mikko Rantanen getting the empty net goal making it 3-1. That would be your final score with the Avalanche defeating the Panthers.
Up next for the Florida Panthers is a road game visiting the Utah Hockey Club.
Written by: Daniel Torres
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