Sam Bennett scores twice to help Panthers beat Canucks 5-1

Dec 1, 2022, 8:06 AM | Updated: 11:24 pm
Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk, right, deflects the puck wide of the net behind Vancouver Canuck...

Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk, right, deflects the puck wide of the net behind Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin (30) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

              Vancouver Canucks' Tyler Myers (57) checks on goalie Thatcher Demko (35), who lies on the ice after being injured, while Florida Panthers' Ryan Lomberg (94) skates away after his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Former Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin waves as he walks onto the ice to be honored with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, his brother Henrik and former goalie Roberto Luongo, before an NHL hockey game between the Canucks and the Florida Panthers onThursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo waves as he walks onto the ice to be honored with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, before an NHL hockey game between the Canucks and the Florida Panthers on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo is wrapped in a First Nations blanket by Sarah Thomas, of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, during a ceremony where he and Daniel and Henrik Sedin were honored for their recent inductions into the Hockey Hall of Fame, before an NHL hockey game between the Canucks and the Florida Panthers on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Former Vancouver Canucks players  Henrik Sedin, left, goalie Roberto Luongo, center, and Daniel Sedin stand after being wrapped in First Nations blankets during a ceremony honoring their recent inductions into the Hockey Hall of Fame, before an NHL hockey game between the Canucks and the Florida Panthers on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin covers up the puck after stopping Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin gives up a goal to Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
            
              Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk, right, deflects the puck wide of the net behind Vancouver Canucks goalie Spencer Martin (30) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Sam Bennett scored twice and the Florida Panthers ended a three-game skid with a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Matthew Tkachuk added a goal and two assists, Gustav Forsling, Ryan Lomberg and Sam Bennett also scored and Spencer Knight made 31 saves.

“We’ve got off to pretty good leads in the last few weeks but I thought we did a great job of not just holding on to it, but building off it (tonight),” Tkachuk said.

“Everybody stepped up. It’s awesome when three lines can be able to contribute. Well, everybody contributed but three different lines scoring after the first just really set up our night.”

Dakota Joshua scored for Vancouver.

“How we can play so good in one week and then so bad the next week, it’s pretty mind boggling,” Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau said.

Vancouver also lost starting goalie Thatcher Demko to a lower-body injury. The 26-year-old American stopped 15 of 18 shots in the first period before leaving.

“Any time you lose your starter like that — I mean he could barely put weight on his leg — obviously we’re concerned about him,” Canucks captain Bo Horvat said.

Spencer Martin made 13 saves in relief.

A smattering of boos emanated from the crowd at Rogers Arena during the final seconds of the game. The jeers grew louder following the final whistle.

The Canucks held a pregame ceremony to honor three former players who were recently inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Former goalie Roberto Luongo and forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin all stood at center ice, watching video highlights from their careers before taking part in a ceremonial puck drop.

UP NEXT

Panthers: At Seattle on Saturday night.

Canucks: Host Arizona on Saturday night.

___

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Sam Bennett scores twice to help Panthers beat Canucks 5-1