Ducks Dominate Panthers in NHL Showdown
Gauthier's Big Night
Cutter Gauthier had an impressive game, scoring his first career hat trick and adding an assist, leading the Anaheim Ducks to a 7-3 victory over the Florida Panthers. This performance marked a significant milestone for the 21-year-old, who is now tied for the NHL lead with 10 goals this season.
Ducks Take Control
The Ducks took charge of the game with a strong showing, especially in the third period. Nikita Nesterenko scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period, followed by goals from Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider, and Jansen Harkins in the final period. This win was the Ducks' fourth in a row, pushing them back to first place in the Pacific Division.
Defensive Struggles for Panthers
The Panthers, who are the defending champions, struggled defensively throughout the game. They allowed three goals in just over three minutes during the third period, which sealed their fate. Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Eetu Luostarinen scored for Florida, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Ducks' offensive power.
Goalie Performance
Lukas Dostal made 18 saves for the Ducks, helping them improve their home record to 4-1-0. On the other hand, Sergei Bobrovsky saved 25 shots for the Panthers, who fell to 1-5-0 on the road this season.
Young Stars Shine
Leo Carlsson also had a notable game, providing two assists before receiving a game misconduct for a head contact penalty. He and Gauthier have both extended their scoring streaks to seven games, making them the youngest teammates to achieve this since Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in 2014. Carlsson now has 18 points in 12 games, leading the Ducks' scoring list.
