The Florida Panthers secured their third consecutive win with a 2-1 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Sam Reinhart scored the decisive goal 2:20 into overtime.
A Hard-Fought Contest
The Blue Jackets took the initial lead at 13:01 of the second period when Adam Fantilli scored, assisted by Mason Marchment. Sergei Bobrovsky, the Panthers’ goaltender, delivered a strong performance with 14 saves in the first period, keeping the game even despite being outplayed.
The Panthers responded early in the third period, tying the game at 1:28. Sam Bennett scored after receiving a pass from Mackie Samoskevich and a shot from Reinhart that deflected off Elvis Merlikins and the crossbar.
Bobrovsky finished the game with 30 saves, earning his 24th win of the campaign. A penalty called against Fantilli for tripping Matthew Tkachuk in overtime set up the game-winning power play.
Reinhart capitalized on the power play opportunity, scoring after receiving a pass from Tkachuk and rookie Mike Benning. Benning earned his first career point with the assist.
Playoff Implications
With the win, the Panthers narrowed the gap to nine points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with 17 games remaining for both teams. The Panthers are scheduled to begin a four-game road trip in Seattle on Sunday.
Key Performances
- Sam Reinhart notched his sixth game-winning goal of the season.
- Mike Benning recorded his first NHL point.
- Sam Bennett reached 50 points for the second time in his career.
- Sergei Bobrovsky secured consecutive wins for the first time since mid-January.
- Matthew Tkachuk extended his point streak to four games.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sam Reinhart score the winning goal?
Sam Reinhart scored the winning goal 2:20 into overtime on a power play, after receiving a pass from Matthew Tkachuk and roofing his shot from a demanding angle.
How many points did Sam Bennett score this season?
Sam Bennett’s goal gave him 50 points for the season.
How many saves did Sergei Bobrovsky make in the game?
Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves in the game.
What will be the key to the Panthers’ success as they head into the final stretch of the season?
