The Florida Panthers added to their impressive record in shootouts this season with a 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.
Florida is now 7-3 in shootouts in 2015-16 which is the highest win total for any team in the NHL. The ability to close out games has given the Panthers seven extra points they would otherwise not have. Those points will likely end up making a critical difference in playoff positioning.
With Florida sitting at 85 points, it finds itself in second place in the Atlantic Division after this win. The Panthers trail first place Boston by only one point, and are two points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning. As far as the Eastern Conference standings goes, Florida is in fourth place after Saturday's action.
Florida got on the board first courtesy of Reilly Smith's 22nd goal of the season. Smith's score had assists on it from Vincent Trocheck and Aaron Ekblad. This was Trocheck's sixth point in his last three games.
After Philadelphia took a 2-1 lead, Jonathan Huberdeau answered back during the second period with his 13th goal of the season. The goal was assisted on by Jaromir Jagr and Dmitry Kulikov at the 13:34 mark to knot the game up.
The Flyers would go back on top once again before Aleksander Barkov's 21st goal of the year tied the game. Barkov's goal came during a power play and had assists on from Jagr and Nick Bjugstad.
Just around one minute went by before Florida added another goal to take a 4-3 lead. Jussi Jokinen and Jakub Kindl helped Smith put in his second goal of the game and 23rd of the season.
Local
The Flyers would tie the score at four and force overtime shortly before the end of regulation. After a quiet OT for both squads, the Panthers woke up with a solid shootout. First Bjugstad scored and he was followed by Barkov's game-winner. Roberto Luongo saved both his chances in the shootout.
Florida will look for a third straight win on Monday when it takes on the New York Islanders.
