Bobrovsky comes up big as Panthers defeat Golden Knights 2-1

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves as the Florida Panthers defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 on Tuesday night, ending Vegas’ three-game winning streak.

Ryan Lomberg and Aleksander Barkov each scored a goal for the Panthers, which has now won two in a row as they kept pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Florida is 4-1-0 all-time against the Golden Knights in Sunrise.

Shea Theodore scored the lone goal of the game for Vegas. Adin Hill made 40 saves in the loss.

Florida opened the scoring at 4:25 on a blistering snapshot off the stick of Lomberg for his ninth goal of the season.

The Panthers extended their lead at 4:05 of the second when Barkov one-timed a pass from Anthony Duclair from 5 feet in front of the net.

Even through the two teams traded a bunch of scoring chances, the score remained 2-0 until Theodore fired off a shot from just inside the blue line which avoided traffic and beat Bobrovsky halfway through the second.

NOTES: All-Star forward Matthew Tkachuk appeared to be hurt after blocking a shot with 6:37 remaining in the game. Tkachuk appeared to be in pain on the ice and crawled to the bench where he was helped to the team’s dressing room. He returned a few shifts later. … Linesman Tommy Hughes left the game in the second period and did not return due to injury. The game went on with two referees and one linesman. … With his goal, Barkov moved within seven points of former linemate Jonathan Huberdeau for the franchise points lead. Barkov has 606 points since Florida selected him with the No. 2 selection of the 2013 draft. … In Hill’s previous start on last Friday, his 100th NHL game, he set the Vegas franchise record with 47 saves in a win against the Devils. Hill came into Tuesday 6-1-0 since the All-Star break. … Defenseman Casey Fitzgerald was a healthy scratch by Florida, Vegas did not dress Nicolas Roy, Pavel Dorofeyev, Ben Hutton and William Carrier.

UP NEXT

Golden Knights: Visit Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.

Panthers: Host Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.

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