SUNRISE, Fla. — Brad Marchand marked his first game with Florida by assisting Sam Bennett`s game-winning goal with just 41.1 seconds remaining in overtime, as the Panthers overcame the Utah Hockey Club with a 2-1 victory on Friday night.
Sam Bennett scored twice for Florida, his first goal coming in the second period with assists from Mackie Samoskevich and Aleksander Barkov. Utah leveled the score early in the third period when Sean Durzi scored his third goal of the season.
This win propels Florida back to the top of the Atlantic Division standings, boasting a record of 44-25-3 with 91 points, narrowly leading Toronto by one point and Tampa Bay by two. All three teams have 10 games left in the season, and Florida is set to play against these divisional rivals three times before the playoffs.
During the first period, the Panthers honored Utah`s forward Kevin Stenlund, a former Florida player from their Stanley Cup-winning team. Stenlund received a video tribute and a warm ovation from the crowd, which he acknowledged with a wave.
Stenlund had previously received his Stanley Cup ring in early January when the Panthers played in Utah.
