Verhaeghe scores 4 goals, Panthers blank Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS -- Carter Verhaeghe scored four goals, and the Florida Panthers moved into the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference with a 7-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Saturday.

Alex Lyon made 21 saves for his first NHL shutout for the Panthers (39-31-7), who are one point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins, who lost to the Boston Bruins 4-3 on Saturday, have played one fewer game.
"It was a solid effort start to finish," Verhaeghe said. "Everyone played well, all four lines. [Lyon] was great back there. It was awesome. It was a good team effort. We want to keep it going the next few games."

Verhaeghe's fourth goal, which tied the Florida single-game record, made it 6-0 at 11:18 of the third period. It was also his 40th goal of the season. Verhaeghe had two previous three-goal games in the NHL.
"He's kind of had to fight his way into this league and to prove that he could do it," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. "He's got an incredible release and a shot. And he works hard at his game. He's trying to get better every day.
"He could probably get three more tonight. You know, I think he can. I think there's another level."
Sam Reinhart had a goal and two assists, and Anthony Duclair and Aleksander Barkov each had three assists for Florida, which has won three straight after a four-game losing streak.
Michael Hutchinson made 42 saves for the Blue Jackets (23-44-8), who have lost four straight.
"We need a better effort than that," Columbus defenseman Gavin Bayreuther said. "Playing in the NHL is very, very special, no matter what the outcome is. You hope to have a less embarrassing moment than that."
Reinhart's power-play goal from the slot gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 12:03 of the first period.
"I liked our jump and that was important," Reinhart said. "A lot of scoreboard watching at this time of year. For us to come and handle what we could have today, that was really important."

Verhaeghe made it 2-0 at 17:29, converting a centering pass by Gustav Forsling.
"We had some moments early but they scored easy, as far as some of their goals, and they got rolling there and then we were chasing," Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. "It wasn't a good recipe.
"They were a better team. They built a lead and then you get a little scrambly. It wasn't pretty."
Verhaeghe extended the lead to 3-0 at 18 seconds of the second period, scoring off a rebound of an Aaron Ekblad shot. His third goal made it 4-0 at 6:34 when he scored with a snap shot from the left face-off circle.
"I'm playing with two good players (Barkov and Duclair)," Verhaeghe said. "They found me all over the ice. I shot the puck, it goes in a couple of times. It happens."
Nick Cousins made it 5-0 at 8:34 of the third period. After Verhaeghe's fourth goal, Eric Staal scored at 14:16 for the 7-0 final.
"It feels pretty good," Lyon said of the shutout in his 34th NHL game. "I wish I could be super humble, but it actually feels really good. It's one of those things I've always wanted, but the opportunity never presented itself.
"The shutout was nice personally, but I would have been happy winning 7-6. The focus this time of the year is winning."

NOTES: There have been three other four-goal games in Panthers history: two by Pavel Bure (Jan. 1, 2000, against the Tampa Bay Lightning; Feb. 10, 2001, against the Atlanta Thrashers) and one by Mark Parrish (Oct. 30, 1998, against the Chicago Blackhawks). … Verhaeghe has nine goals in 12 games against the Blue Jackets. … Reinhart has eight points (two goals, six assists) during a four-game point streak. … Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky missed a third straight game because of illness. … Forwards Joona Luoto and Justin Richards each made his Columbus debut following an emergency call-up from Cleveland of the American Hockey League on Saturday. Luoto had one hit in 11:54 of ice time. Richards had four hits and was minus-2 in 13:54. He is the son of former Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards.