5 TAKEAWAYS: Panthers 5, Senators 3

After racking up 51 shots in a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, the Florida Panthers kept their foot on the gas and didn't stray from their game plan while firing off a franchise-record 58 shots during an impressive 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators at FLA Live Arena on Saturday.
Improving to 5-3-1, Florida sits in second place in the Atlantic Division.
"It feels really good," Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe said of the win. "I think the most important thing is that we're playing the right way. Even in Philly, we were playing the right way but didn't get rewarded. Tonight, it finally feels good to get rewarded for it and get a win."
For a quick recap of the game, click
HERE
.
To read up on five key takeaways for the Cats, continue below.

1. SWAGGY'S SHOT

If you give him too much time and space, Verhaeghe will make you pay.
Set free after collecting a spin-o-rama pass from Matthew Tkachuk, Verhaeghe fired a laser of a shot right past Anton Forsberg from the high slot to put Florida up 1-0 at 7:59 of the first period.

Earning his second multi-goal game of the season, Verhaeghe showed off his shot once again in the second period when he teed up a pass from Brandon Montour and unloaded a blistering one-timer that blazed into the back of the net to put the Pantrs up 3-2 with 37 seconds left on the clock.
"Tought for the goalie to stop that one," Montour grinned.
When asked about Verhaeghe's shot, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said that it reminds him of Kyler Connor, who had multiple campaigns of 30-plus goals under Maurice in Winnipeg.
"It's elite," Maurice said. "It's highly unusual."
Since 2020-21, Verhaeghe ranks second on the Panthers with 46 goals.

2. BARKY'S NEW BEAT

How do you make a goal even better?
The perfect goal song.
Netting his first goal of the season, Aleksander Barkov extended the lead to 2-0 when he wired home a shot from around the top of the right circle on the power play at 11:54 of the first period.

"It's nice, I'm not going to lie," the captain said of the goal. "To be honest, I wasn't really thinking about scoring. I was just trying to find sticks. I got lucky that it went in."
Right after the horn stopped blaring, "I'm So Excited" by the Pointer Sisters started playing.
"It's a happy song," Barkov smiled. "It makes you feel happy."
Despite having to wait a bit longer than he would've liked for his first goal, Barkov has still been very productive early on this season. With nine games in the books, he ranks tied for second on the Panthers in points (8) and is first among the team's forwards in ice time per game (22:30).
"It was huge for us," Barkov said of the win. "We wanted to get the win before we go on a long road trip. I think we played really good. In the second period we had some trouble in our own zone and gave up a little too much for them. At the same time, we battled back and won."

3. A DOMINANT FIRST

The Panthers barely let the Senators touch the puck in the first period.
In addition to leading 2-0 on the scoresheet after 20 minutes, the Panthers held massive advantages over the Senators in both shot attempts (32-7) and scoring chances (14-3).
"Clearly that's as good as a start as [we're going to have]," Maurice said.
Overall, Florida's 26 shots on goal in the first period are the third-most in the NHL this season.
"Shots were pretty good for us," Barkov said. "We want to play like that every period.
Leading the charge, Barkov's line in particular started the game hot and carried it through the entire 60 minutes. When the line of Barkov, Tkachuk and Verhaeghe was on the ice against the Senators, the Panthers surrendered a mere three shot attempts while firing off 20 of their own.
The line also combined for nine points (four goals, five assists).
"Chance after chance," Verhaeghe said. "We buried a couple tonight. It feels good and you get some confidence. It feels like every time we're on the ice we're in the offensive zone and making plays and getting chances. Those two are a lot of fun to play with."

4. TKACHUK IT OUT

Chalk up another win for Matthew.
In the first battle between the Tkachuk brothers this season, Matthew posted three points (one goal, two assists) and picked up the win, while Brady found the back of the net for the Senators.
Facing off 14 times during the regular season in their careers, Matthew has won eight times.
"I love playing against him," Matthew said. "One of the biggest honors for me is seeing him play in the NHL and seeing him have as much success as he's having. I'm so proud of him."

Speaking of success, Tkachuk has certainly been having a lot in South Florida.
Leading the Panthers in goals (5), assists (8) and points (13), Tkachuk has helped the team control 66.38% of shot attempts when he's been on the ice at 5-on-5. In all situations, the 24-year-old forward leads the team in shot attempts (79) and high-danger shot attempts (27).
It's those high-danger areas where his skills really shine.
"You know where he's going to be and you know what he's going to do," Barkov said. "You just try to find the ways to give the puck to him. Down low, that's where he's at his best. That's where he's one of the best in the league, if not the best. You want to try and find him there."

5. MONTOUR DE FORCE

It's time to start a dialogue about Montour.
While the entire defensive corps has stepped up in the absence of Aaron Ekblad, Montour in particular has really elevated his game for the Panthers on the blue line. In addition to netting the game-winning goal against Ottawa, he also added two assists to up his point total on the season to eight, which paces the team's defensemen.

"My main focus is just being consistent," Montour said. "With Ekky out, you get relied on a little bit more. I believe in myself in this league. I've shown it in the last bit of my career. Any time my name gets called, I'm happy to get out there, work hard and help the team any way that I can."
Moving up to the top pair to play with Gustav Forsling, Montour has been playing on both the power play and penalty kill while skating more than 25 minutes in each of the last four games. Earning tough assignments every game, he still owns an outstanding 60.36 CF% at 5-on-5.
"He played against their best on a hard match tonight," Maurice said. "He's an exceptionally fit man. He has incredible fitness numbers. He's one of those guys that comes to the bench late even if they're hemmed in. He shows no distress. He just keeps playing. He's earned the opportunity to play against the other team's best."
When Montour has been on the ice a 5-on-5, the Panthers have led 9-4 in goals.
"With Ekky out, we rely a lot on him," Verhaeghe said. "He's been outstanding."
All advanced analytics courtesy of NaturalStatTrick.com