Hoffman ties Panthers record in victory against Flyers

PHILADELPHIA -- Mike Hoffman tied the longest point streak in Florida Panthers history in a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday.

Hoffman had an assist on Aaron Ekblad's power-play goal to give him 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) during his 13-game streak. Pavel Bure had at least one point in 13 straight games from March 10-April 5, 2000. It's also the longest streak in the NHL this season, surpassing the 12-game streak Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho had Oct. 4-30.
"Anytime you can help this team win hockey games is what you're looking to do," Hoffman said. "Other things are cool to look at back once I'm a bit older, at my success in the League. Right now the focus is winning hockey games."
WATCH: [All Panthers vs. Flyers highlights]
Evgenii Dadonov scored for Florida (7-5-3), which won its fifth straight game. Roberto Luongo made 30 saves.
Jakub Voracek scored, and Brian Elliott made 28 saves for Philadelphia (9-8-1). The Flyers lost in regulation for the first time in seven games (5-1-1).
"We definitely didn't play our game [the] first two periods," Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. "We know we can play better and in the third we started playing the way we can, we made a push for it, but it was a little too late."
Hoffman, who was acquired in a trade June 19, played with a number of different forwards before joining the top line with Dadonov and Aleksander Barkov three games ago.

"I think he's found a home there," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "The more he plays on that line the better he's playing."
Boughner said what's really stood out to him is how well Hoffman has played defensively.
"I love what he's doing away from the puck," Boughner said. "He's really playing hard and being smart defensively against other team's top lines. The line he played against tonight (Giroux, Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny) was one of the hottest lines coming into this game. That's a big task on the road and those guys did a good job."
Hoffman said it took time to adjust after seven seasons with the Ottawa Senators but that he feels like he's reacting now rather than thinking about what to do on the ice.
"The first few games you need to try and find your own groove here," he said. "I had to establish myself with a new team. Playing with Barkov and Dadonov, both two really good players. [Barkov] is one of the best two-way centers, probably the best player I've played with to this point. ... There's plays [Dadonov] can make that not a lot of other guys can see. It's nice."

Ekblad gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 8:15 of the second period when he scored on a backhand along the left side of the net. Hoffman set up the goal with a shot from the right point that Frank Vatrano tipped in the slot. Elliott made the save, but Ekblad scored on the rebound.
It was Ekblad's first goal in 21 games dating to March 29.
"It's been a while," he said. "I've never waited this long to score a goal at any level. It's tough mentally to stay resilient."
Dadonov made it 2-0 at 17:35 of the second when he scored from the right face-off circle. He has 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) during a 12-game point streak.
Voracek scored at 3:55 of the third period to make it 2-1.

They said it

"They're just playing great hockey, not over-complicating things. When the play is there they make it and they're some of the best in the world at it. It's really fun to watch them play. It's extremely fun to watch Dadonov create things you didn't think could possibly happen and [Hoffman] has an unbelievable shot." -- Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad on Florida's top line
"The intensity, I don't think was up to what I think we need [it] to be. I thought we brought it in the third period but it's a little late. We hit some posts. We had our chances to tie it up. It's just unfortunate and frustrating that we didn't go into extra innings there." -- Flyers goalie Brian Elliott

Need to know

Luongo (39 years, 223 days) became the fourth NHL goalie age 39 or older to start a season 4-0-0 through his first four personal decisions. The others were George Hainsworth (8-0-0, 1934-35 Toronto Maple Leafs), Dominik Hasek (5-0-0, 2005-06 Ottawa Senators) and Tony Esposito (4-0-0, 1982-83 Chicago Black Hawks). ... Ekblad scored his 54th NHL goal and passed Jay Bouwmeester for second among defensemen in Panthers history. Robert Svehla is first with 61. ... Florida forward Jonathan Huberdeau played his 400th NHL game. ... The Panthers scored a power-play goal for the sixth straight game. ... The Flyers won 41 of 60 face-offs (68 percent). ... Couturier got an assist and has seven points (three goals, four assists) during a four-game point streak.

What's next

Panthers: At the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FS-O, FS-F, NHL.TV)
Flyers: Host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, MSG+, NHL.TV)