Bobrovsky, defense shine but Panthers lose again -- this time in OT to Predators

Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald on Dec 4, 2025

Published in Hockey

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SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers have had their share of tough-luck losses as of late.

And then there was their result Thursday night.

After an overall stellar performance in net by Sergei Bobrovsky and from the defense in front of him, the Panthers gave up a goal late in regulation and ultimately fell, 2-1 in overtime, to the Nashville Predators at Amerant Bank Arena.

The game-winning goal: A Steven Stamkos wrist shot from the slot with 57 seconds left in the five-minute three-on-three overtime period shortly after Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling had dislodged the net.

According to Rule 63.7, a referee is allowed to award a goal if the net is displaced by a defending player and an attacking player had an imminent scoring opportunity.

“That’s the rule,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “If you knock the net off and it crosses the line, it’s good.”

The Panthers fall to 12-12-2 on the season and has now dropped five consecutive home games — their longest such streak since dropping eight straight games on home ice from Feb. 6 to March 5, 2020. Nashville improves to 10-13-4.

“It’s tough,” forward Carter Verhaeghe said.

Especially with how Florida played.

Verhaeghe opened scoring with 3:34 left in the first period when he finished a two-on-one rush with Sam Bennett to beat Predators goaltender Juuse Saros. The goal was Verhaeghe’s fifth of the season and his 143rd overall with the Panthers — passing Nathan Horton for eighth-most all time in franchise history — and his first since becoming a first-time dad to son Rory on Tuesday.

“Special,” Verhaeghe said. “It’s cool to be a dad, obviously, and it’s just a life-changing experience. It’s a goal, but hopefully many more.”

Bobrovsky did nearly everything possible to keep Florida in the game from there, finishing with 27 saves including stopping eight of 10 high-danger shots against.

Florida’s defense was great in front of Bobrovsky as well, especially on the Panthers’ five penalty kills. Niko Mikkola cleared Steven Stamkos shot attempt that landed between Bobrovsky and the net early in the second period. Aaron Ekblad was at the center of stopping a four-on-one Nashville rush later on that penalty kill as well.

But Florida’s offense remained in a rut and was unable to build on its lead. The Panthers, who have been outscored 15-7 the past four games, went 0 for 6 on the power play despite 10 shots on goal and 14 shot attempts on the man advantage.

That said, it was still a 1-0 game late in regulation. The Predators appeared to tie it up in the opening minutes of the third period, with Michael Bunting appearing to whack the puck past Bobrovsky in the dying seconds of a power play. However, video review showed the puck never crossed the line, with Bobrovsky making a solid pad save.

But Nashville tied it for real with 6:19 left in the third period when Ryan O’Reilly cleared up a bunting rebound. The Predators outshot Florida 12-3 and had a 25-11 edge in shot attempts in the third period to force overtime.

And then the Predators struck in the extra frame to send the Panthers to yet another frustrating loss.

“We were right there again,” Mikkola said, “and couldn’t quite get it done.”

The Panthers close their homestand with back-to-back games this weekend, starting Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets and concluding Sunday against the New York Islanders.