Panthers rout Ducks behind Vrbata hat trick
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Radim Vrbata produced a hat trick and rookie first-round pick Owen Tippett scored his first NHL goal as the Florida Panthers routed the Anaheim Ducks 8-3 on Thursday night at the BB&T Center.
Vrbata, who signed a one-year, free-agent contract with Florida on July 1, had not scored in his first eight games with the Panthers. But he broke out against the Ducks, earning his seventh career hat trick.
Aleksander Barkov also starred for Florida with three points, including two assists.
The Panthers (4-5-0) started a five-game homestand in a promising way as Florida's eight goals represent its most since 2009. The Panthers are 3-1-0 at home this season.
Anaheim (4-4-1) also had a milestone goal as Kalle Kossila earned his first NHL goal in just his third game. But Ducks goalie John Gibson, making his ninth straight start, lasted just two periods, allowing six goals while making only 11 saves. Florida also scored twice on his backup, Reto Berra.
Florida's James Reimer made his third straight start and came through with 31 saves.
Thanks in part to a strong rush by Vincent Trocheck, Florida opened the scoring with just 64 seconds elapsed in the first period. Trocheck centered the puck to Vrbata, whose shot went in off the stick of Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour.
Florida made it 2-0 less than four minutes later. Tippett seized on a turnover in the neutral zone and fed Jamie McGinn on the left wing. McGinn returned the favor, and Tippett, in alone, scored at the doorstep.
Anaheim's fourth line cut the Ducks' deficit to 2-1 with 6:24 expired in the first period. Logan Shaw, operating behind Florida's net, centered a pass to Kossila, who scored five-hole.
Vrbata closed the first-period scoring with a power-play goal. Nick Bjugstad stole the puck behind Anaheim's net and found a cutting Vrbata, who beat Gibson glove-side.
Florida made it 4-1 with 4:03 expired in the second. Trocheck won a faceoff to Alex Petrovic, who fired from the point. Trocheck, meanwhile, headed straight to the net, where he was in perfect position to tip the puck in off a rebound.
The Panthers made it 5-1 work from their top line. Barkov beat his man along the right boards and dished to his left to Evgenii Dadonov for the goal. The third member of the line, Jonathan Huberdeau, also got an assist.
Barkov scored seven minutes later, getting a short-handed goal. The assist came from Derek MacKenzie, whose centering pass was a few inches off the ice. No matter -- Barkov banged the puck in anyway.
Anaheim closed to 6-2 on a goal by Andrew Cogliano, who batted in a rebound while the puck was in mid-air.
The teams traded goals -- Vrbata's third goal for Florida and Shaw for Anaheim -- but the game was all but decided by then. Dadonov picked up his second goal of the night to close the scoring.
NOTES: Florida G Roberto Luongo (right thumb) is out at least through Saturday. G Antti Niemi was signed Tuesday to serve as James Reimer's backup. ... Florida is also missing LW Jared McCann (lower body) and RW Colton Sceviour (upper body). ... This was a homecoming of sorts for Ducks D Jayson Megna, who was born in Plantation, Fla. -- just minutes from the BB&T Center. ... Ducks D Kevin Bieksa will be out an extended period of time after he hurt his left hand. D Korbinian Holzer will replace Bieksa. ... Ducks G Ryan Miller (wrist) is taking shots in practice and could return soon. ... Ducks RW Patrick Eaves (illness) is out indefinitely. ... Ducks D Sami Vatanen (shoulder) is skating and could return soon.