Blues defeat Panthers after last‑second goal in second period.
The St. Louis Blues defeated the Florida Panthers 6‑2 on Saturday night in a game that saw a total of eight goals scored.
Blues forwards Jake Neighbours and Robert Thomas each contributed two goals, while Jonatan Berggren and Justin Faulk added one apiece. Goalkeeper Joel Hofer recorded 27 saves, and assists were credited to Pavel Buchnevich and Berggren. Florida scored via A.J. Greer and Sam Reinhart, and goalie Daniil Tarasov stopped 25 shots.
The Blues opened the scoring midway through the first period and again later in that period to take a two‑goal advantage that they preserved through the second period. After Greer and Reinhart tied the game, the Blues re‑established the lead with a late goal by Faulk in the third. Neighbours and Thomas finished the scoreboard for St. Louis, with Thomas adding an empty‑neter.
Florida remains without Matthew Tkachuk, who has not yet returned from offseason surgery on an adductor muscle and sports hernia. Team officials are hoping he can re‑join the lineup for the Winter Classic on Jan. 2 against the New York Rangers.
The Panthers will travel to South Carolina to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.