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12/04 21:03 CST Steven Stamkos wins it in OT, Predators beat reeling Panthers
2-1
Steven Stamkos wins it in OT, Predators beat reeling Panthers 2-1
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) --- Steven Stamkos scored with 57 seconds left in overtime,
and the Nashville Predators beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Thursday night.
Stamkos' goal came with the net appearing to be off its moorings, but it held
up after a brief review and gave the Predators their fourth win in five games.
It was his 53rd goal all-time against Florida, including playoffs, the most by
any player against the Panthers.
Carter Verhaeghe scored two days after the birth of his son and Sergei
Bobrovsky stopped 27 shots for the Panthers, but the two-time defending Stanley
Cup champions lost their fourth game in a row and their fifth straight at home.
Verhaeghe missed Tuesday's loss to Toronto because his wife was giving birth to
their new son Rory, but returned in time for morning skate on Thursday and then
the game.
Ryan O'Reilly scored with 6:19 left in the third period to tie the game for
Nashville, and Stamkos scored on a rush to win it in the extra period.
Jusse Saros stopped 30 shots for Nashville.
Verhaeghe was asked earlier Thursday if becoming a father compared at all with
the feeling of being part of three Stanley Cup championships --- one with Tampa
Bay, and the last two with Florida over the last two seasons.
"Not even close," Verhaeghe said. "This one, it's the best feeling in the
world. It doesn't even come close to any anything. It's the greatest thing in
the world."
Bobrovsky got some help in the second period. Stamkos actually beat Bobrovsky
with a shot from the circle to the right of the Panthers' net, but defenseman
Niko Mikkola got his stick near the goal line and was able to knock the puck
away.
Up next
Predators: Visit Carolina on Saturday.
Panthers: Host Columbus on Saturday.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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