The Florida Panthers topped the New York Rangers 3-2 on April 13, 2026, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., delivering a memorable performance on Fan Appreciation Night. Cole Reinhardt led the Panthers offensively with two goals, including the decisive game-winner scored late in the third period, extending his scoring streak to three games.
Reinhardt opened the scoring at 9:35 of the first period by capitalizing on a rebound after a shot from Tobias Bjornfot, giving Florida an early 1-0 lead. The Panthers doubled their advantage at 11:31 when forward Mackie Samoskevich netted a breakaway goal, marking his 12th goal of the season and sixth goal in the last nine games.
The New York Rangers responded late in the first period with Matthew Robertson scoring at 15:19, followed by a fortunate rebound goal off Gabe Perreault’s leg that tied the game 2-2 at 17:20 of the second period. The game remained tightly contested through the second period, with both teams tied in shots on goal 13-13 after 40 minutes.
Goaltender Daniil Tarasov was instrumental in the Panthers’ victory, making 24 saves overall, including 13 in the final period, preserving the slim lead. Reinhardt’s game-winning goal came with just 1:50 remaining in regulation, assisted by Luke Kunin, who also led the Panthers with five hits during the game. The goal came after sustained pressure from Florida, as Reinhardt described, “We just had some sustained pressure. Dodge riped it around, and Kunny put it on my tape. Yeah, it worked out.” Kunin’s playmaking and physicality were key factors in the decisive moment.
Jonathan Quick, making his final career start in goal for the Rangers, collected 410 NHL wins, ranking him 12th on the league’s all-time list. The Panthers players and coaches honored Quick at the game’s end, with head coach Paul Maurice praising his competitive longevity and skill.
With this victory, the Florida Panthers improved to a 39-38-4 record with one game remaining in the season. The team will close their season at home against the Detroit Red Wings on April 16, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET.
Player and Coach Perspectives
Forward Mackie Samoskevich expressed the significance of winning in front of the home crowd late in the season: “It’s big, especially these last two games, it’s all about them (the fans), ending off on the right note and making everyone happy.” Cole Reinhardt spoke about his game-winning goal, attributing success to his teammates’ support. Tarasov reflected on his performance, emphasizing his focus on making saves especially in the more active third period.
Luke Kunin added a physical edge with five hits and contributed the assist on the winning goal, while Eetu Luostarinen’s deployment helped the Panthers lead in hits and 5-on-5 shot attempts during the game. Donovan Sebrango contributed with three assists in his last four games, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive efforts.
Source: Original report