The Florida Panthers are on a three game win streak after defeating the St. Louis Blues 3-1 last night. Derek MacKenzie scored two goals in one game for the second time in his NHL career, and the first time since March 12, 2011. MacKenzie scored his first goal just 13 seconds after Brandon Pirri opened scoring for the Panthers in the second period; his second goal came in the third period.
The Blues had 10 giveaways in the game, which gave the Panthers much needed momentum in the second period.
Pirri scored after a picked off offensive-zone pass from St. Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko. MacKenzie took advantage of another turnover, after Steve Ott lost control of a spinning puck, to hit a slap-shot and give the Panthers a 2-0 lead. MacKenzie went on to his second goal of the night after picking up a turnover off of Kevin Shattenkirk from the neutral zone and taking it back to the goal.
Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo made 29 saves in the game, for his 16th career win over St. Louis.
This was the first time the Blues have lost in regulation in six games. David Backes scored for St. Louis in the second period, just after the Panthers scored their second goal.
Backes scored after his spin shot from the slot hit off the skate of Panthers defenseman Dylan Olsen, into the goal.
Blues goalie Jake Allen made 12 saves before Brian Elliot replaced him in the third period. Elliot then made eights saves.
The Panthers will take on the Nashville Predators tomorrow night, and the Blues will face the New York Islanders on Friday.