Knight wins NHL debut, Bennett scores twice, Panthers defeat Blue Jackets

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Spencer Knight made 33 saves to win his NHL debut, and Sam Bennett scored two goals when the Florida Panthers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 at BB&T Center on Tuesday.

"I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be," Knight said. "The guys did a good job of keeping it light and just telling me, 'Just go out and play hockey.' That's what I'm trying to do."
Knight, who was selected by the Panthers with the No. 13 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, agreed to a three-year, entry-level contract March 13 and was recalled from the taxi squad April 13. Knight turned 20 on Monday and became the first goalie born in the 2000s to play an NHL game.
"I think he looked very cool and calm in the net," Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said "The way he came out and handled pucks and assessed all his options, you could see he's understanding of where everybody is around the game, around the rink. He tracks the puck extremely well, looked big in the net, is positionally aware. It's a great start for his career. It was fun to watch his composure throughout."

Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and two assists and Anthony Duclair had three assists for the Panthers (30-12-5), who are 4-0-1 in their past five games.
Jack Roslovic scored for the Blue Jackets (15-24-9), who have lost seven in a row. Joonas Korpisalo made 28 saves.
"It was [Knight's] first game," Columbus forward Cam Atkinson said. "We didn't do enough to get pucks to the net. I know him. I'm happy for him, but we should have made it harder for him."
Florida finished the season series 7-0-1 against Columbus.
The Panthers are tied for first in the Discover Central Division with the Carolina Hurricanes, though they have played two more games. The Blue Jackets are tied with the Detroit Red Wings for seventh, 12 points behind the fourth-place Nashville Predators. The top four teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The line of Bennett, Huberdeau and Duclair combined for eight points.
Bennett has three goals and two assists in three games with Florida since a trade with the Calgary Flames on April 12. He scored 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 38 games with Calgary.
"In a short amount of time, you can tell they really like playing with one another," Quenneville said. "They've had some highlight-reel goals. [Bennett] seems to be getting to the net. Some pretty plays off the rush. They really have, in a short amount of time, clicked. All three guys are really making it happen. It's been fun to watch."

Aleksander Barkov and Bennett scored 14 seconds apart in the first period to give Florida a 2-0 lead.
Barkov opened the scoring at 6:52 with a wrist shot before Bennett scored at 7:06 when he batted in a rebound.
Roslovic made it 2-1 at 16:16 with a power-play goal off a loose puck in front of the net. Columbus appeared to tie the score at 19:03 on another Roslovic goal, but the Panthers successfully challenged that the play was offside.
The Panthers scored three goals in the second period.
"It's a 5-1 game but at 2-1 we're involved in it," Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. "It's offsides, a couple of turnovers, it's 3-1 and that's it. We just won't recover from those turnovers with this hockey club."
Bennett made it 3-1 at 7:04 on a rebound before Ryan Lomberg scored at 15:42 when he redirected Frank Vatrano's pass midair for a 4-1 lead.
Huberdeau made it 5-1 at 16:38 with a wrist shot from the high slot.
NOTES: Knight became the first Panthers goalie to win his NHL debut. He is the youngest Panthers goalie to earn a win, surpassing Roberto Luongo (Nov. 25, 2000; 21 years, 235 days). … Florida forward Mason Marchment did not play after the first period with an upper-body injury. Quenneville said he is day to day but unlikely to play against Carolina on Thursday. … Florida forward Patric Hornqvist sat out because of what Quenneville called a maintenance day or rest, but he's expected to play Thursday. … Columbus forward Max Domi was a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game. … Florida's seven wins against Columbus tied for its most against an opponent in one season. Florida was 7-0-1 against the Washington Capitals in 2005-06.