Coming up with another big stop, Tarasov shut down John Tavares on a breakaway just past the midway point of the period.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuge win for new faces on our team,\u201d Tarasov said. \u201cWe set a tone right away.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the Maple Leafs pulled Woll for the extra attacker, Greer cashed in on the empty net to make it 5-2 15:56<\/p>\n
On the goal, Luostarinen (1G, 2A) and Samoskevich (1G, 2A) each recorded their third point of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlayed big minutes,\u201d Maurice said of the duo. \u201cPlayed the right way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Capping off an impressive performance, Nosek added one more empty-net goal to lock in the 6-2 win with his second goal of the game at 18:07.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a team effort,\u201d Nosek said. \u201cWe played pretty good. We didn\u2019t give up much except the two goals there. I think we played a pretty decent game today. I\u2019m happy with the two goals. It\u2019s been a long time. It feels good.”<\/p>\n
THEY SAID IT<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat mentor, great leader, but just a really great human being.\u201d \u2013 Paul Maurice on Gustav Forsling<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the skill is obviously different. You kind of have to adjust your game to the opponents.\u201d \u2013 Wilmer Skoog on his first taste of the NHL<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not easy to come here, especially at this time of the season. But it\u2019s big for them. They get a chance to play.\u201d \u2013 Tomas Nosek on Florida\u2019s rookies<\/p>\n
CATS STATS<\/p>\n
– Marek Alscher is the ninth rookie defenseman to record a point within his first two NHL games in franchise history.<\/p>\n
– Cole Scwhindt won a team-high seven faceoffs.<\/p>\n
– Luke Kunin and Cole Reinhardt each had four hits.<\/p>\n
– Tobias Bjornfot blocked a team-high three shots.<\/p>\n
– The Panthers led 24-21 in scoring chances at 5-on-5.<\/p>\n
WHAT\u2019S NEXT?<\/p>\n
The Panthers will return to South Florida to kick off their final homestand of the season with a matchup against the New York Rangers on Monday at 7 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n
The game will also serve as the team\u2019s annual Fan Appreciation Night.<\/p>\n