SUNRISE, FLORIDA – The Florida Panthers broke out of their power-play slump in a big way.
Tomas Kopecky recorded his first career hat trick and Tomas Fleischmann had the go-ahead score for his 100th career goal, lifting the Panthers to a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
Brian Campbell and Marcel Goc also scored, and Fleischmann added two assists for the Panthers. Scott Clemmensen stopped all 15 shots he faced in the third period after replacing Jose Theodore during the second intermission. Theodore stopped 15 of 19 shots through the first and second periods.
The Panthers, who came in with only one power-play goal in their last 24 chances — including 0-for-17 at home — scored four goals with the man advantage, and also broke a five-game home losing streak, winning for just the second time in nine games.
“It’s been a couple of weeks here that we haven’t been able to generate much on the power play, so it was good for our group to go out there,” Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. “I just think confidence, success, breeds success.”
Chris Kunitz, Dustin Jeffrey, Paul Martin and James Neal scored for the Penguins. Mark Andre-Fleury made 12 saves for Pittsburgh and Sidney Crosby had two assists.
Kopecky, who has six goals in his last six games, scored his third of the game on an empty-netter from his own blue line that made the score 6-4 with one minute left. He also had an assist.
“I just tried to get the puck out and tonight it was one of those nights, it was going in,” Kopecky said. “I was happy. I was more happy that it was a two-goal lead. A big victory for us.”
Coyotes 4, Canucks 2
In Vancouver, Kyle Chipchura scored twice and Mike Smith made 29 saves to lead Phoenix to a victory over the Canucks.
Antoine Vermette and Mikkel Boedker each added a goal and an assist for Phoenix.
Bruins 4, Islanders 1
In Uniondale, New York, Brad Marchand scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Boston beat the Islanders for the 16th time in the last 20 meetings.
Adam McQuaid, David Krejci and Greg Campbell also scored for the Bruins, who won their fourth straight to bolster their best start since the 1976-77 season.
Sabres 2, Lightning 1
In Tampa, Tyler Myers scored a go-ahead goal early in third period, helping Ron Rolston win for the first time as Buffalo’s interim coach.
Rolston replaced long-time Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff on Feb. 20.
Capitals 3, Hurricanes 0
In Washington, Nicklas Backstrom scored in the first period and assisted on John Erskine’s goal in the second.
Stars 5, Blue Jackets 4 (OT)
In Columbus, Loui Eriksson fought off two defenders to get his stick on a rebound and jammed it in 3:03 into overtime.
Jets 4, Rangers 3
In New York, Olli Jokinen scored twice and Evander Kane had a goal and assist in the second period for surging Winnipeg.
Wild 2, Flames 1 (OT)
In St. Paul, Minnesota, Zach Parise scored 27 seconds into OT to lift the Wild over Calgary.
Sharks 3, Avalanche 2 (SO)
In San Jose, Patrick Marleau scored in the fourth round of the shootout, and Antti Niemi stopped three shots in the final session.
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