Karlsson's passing prods Sens past Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Erik Karlsson produced two assists, and Kyle Turris scored the go-ahead goal as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Sunday night at the BB&T Center.
Karlsson, who has 44 assists this season, set up a short-handed goal by Zach Smith in the first period and Turris' second-period score. Smith logged his 15th goal of the season, three of them short-handed. Turris has 21 goals this season, 18 at even strength.
Ottawa (32-21-6) also got good goaltending from Craig Anderson, who won his 142nd NHL game, four short of tying Patrick Lalime for the franchise record.
Anderson made 37 saves on Sunday -- including a stellar glove stop on an otherwise open right side of the net in the second period on Reilly Smith. Anderson is 14-7-2 in his career against Florida.
Florida, which lost its fourth consecutive home game, got a power-play goal from Jonathan Marchessault. It was Marchessault's 19th goal of the season, with six coming on the power play.
However, the Panthers (28-23-10) went just 1-for-5 on the power play, including a failure in the final six minutes of the game.
Ottawa scored first, getting Smith's short-handed goal with 6:28 expired in the first period. The Senators created a two-on-one opportunity, and James Reimer (31 saves) made a kick save on shot by Karlsson. However, the rebound landed perfectly for Smith, who deposited the easy chance.
The Panthers tied the score on Marchessault's power-play goal with 2:47 left in the first period. Jonathan Huberdeau and Keith Yandle picked up assists as the Panthers moved the puck quickly, catching Anderson out of position and leaving Marchessault the left side of the net completely open.
With the teams skating four a side, Ottawa went up 2-1 with 9:58 expired in the second period. Karlsson's pass sprung Turris, who beat Reimer to the short side.
NOTES: Slumping Panthers G Roberto Luongo has only played two of the past six games after resting again vs. Ottawa. He hasn't allowed fewer than two goals in a game since Jan. 11. ... Florida released C Greg McKegg and recalled C Denis Malgin from AHL Springfield. Malgin was scratched along with D Jakub Kindl. ... Ottawa sent LW Max McCormick and RW Casey Bailey to AHL Binghamton. Each has played seven NHL games this season. ... Ottawa RW Mark Stone (neck) and C Mike Hoffman (groin) returned from injuries. Both had missed two games. ... Ottawa recalled C Phil Varone and RW Michael Blunden, but Blunden, C Curtis Lazar and D Fredrik Claesson were scratched. ... Ottawa LW Bobby Ryan (finger) is expected to miss another month. ... Ottawa plays at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. ... Florida plays host to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.