Brady Bunch: Tkachuk Scores Three Late, Panthers Rally to Beat Canucks

· Yahoo Sports

SUNRISE — Vancouver Canucks goalie Leevi Merilainen stood on his head Thursday night yet Brady Tkachuk was there to save the day for the Panthers.

Tkachuk got his second hat trick in as many games, scoring twice in the final eight-plus minutes to force OT where he gave the Panthers a 3-2 win midway through.

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Going into Tuesday’s game in Columbus, Tkachuk had yet to score a goal for his new team.

Now, he’s got six of ‘em.

Merilainen was under siege all night and made 36 saves as the Canucks tried to snap a five-game losing streak.

They came close, too.

Tkachuk’s first at 11:11 brought the Panthers within spitting distance before he tied it with 12.8 seconds left in regulation.

His game-winner came off a nice feed from Seth Jones.

Florida came out flying and absolutely dominated possession in the opening period but a couple of wide-open looks put them down 2-0 after 20.

Vancouver scored on its first shot of the game 7:23 in — then made it 2-0 on its sixth later in the period.

Akira Schmid made 15 saves for the Panthers for his second straight win.

NOTES: CANUCKS at PANTHERS

  • Brady Tkachuk became the third player in franchise history with back-to-back hat tricks. The others: Pavel Bure and Noel Acciari.
  • The Panthers played without defenseman Radko Gudas and goalie Jacob Markstrom again Thursday. Paul Maurice said both are OK — the two skated on Thursday at the IcePlex — and will be ready to play no later than Wednesday in Ottawa.
  • Florida will play just three of its first 13 games at home with No. 3 coming Saturday against the Kraken. After Saturday, the Panthers have another four-game road trip before returning Oct. 30 against the Winnipeg Jets.
HOW THEY SCORED
  • Canucks 1, Panthers 0 (7:23 1st): A failed clear by the Panthers ends up on the stick of a wide-open Liam Ohgren just outside the right circle and he puts it between the skates of Akira Schmid on Vancouver’s first shot on goal of the night. 
  • Canucks 2, Panthers 0 (17:06 1st 4/4): Filip Chytil shovels a pass from the end boards to defenseman Elias Pettersson in the slot and he sends a one-timer past Schmid.
  • Canucks 2, Panthers 1 (11:11 3rd): Brady Tkachuk rifled off a wrist shot off a pass from Aaron Ekblad to pull Florida within a goal. Matthew Tkachuk, of course, had an assist.
  • Panthers 2, Canucks 2 (19:47 3rd): With Schmid on the bench, Tkachuk scored a similar goal to his first to send the game into OT.
  • Panthers 3, Canucks 2 (2:22 OT): Another hatty for Tkachuk and a nice win for the Panthers.
FHN’S 3 STARS
  • 1. Brady Tkachuk, Panthers
  • 2. Leevi Merilainen, Canucks
  • 3. Seth Jones, Panthers
ON DECK: GAME No. 9SEATTLE KRAKEN at FLORIDA PANTHERS 

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