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AJ Greer Nets First Goal in Panthers’ Win Over Stars

In a thrilling display of ice hockey, AJ Greer delivered his maiden goal for the Florida Panthers early in the third period, propelling his team to a 4-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday. This triumph marked a two-game sweep for the Panthers in Finland, with Aleksander Barkov and Niko Mikkola contributing crucial assists on their home turf.

Panthers’ Winning Streak Continues

The Panthers’ success didn’t stop at Greer; Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues, and Matthew Tkachuk also contributed goals, solidifying Florida’s fifth consecutive victory. Reinhart not only found the back of the net but also registered an assist, securing his position as the second NHL player to amass 20 points this season. The icing on the cake for the Panthers came from Reinhart too, with his empty-netter sealing the deal.

Meanwhile, the Stars staged a brief comeback with Matt Duchene and Evgenii Dadonov scoring goals 34 seconds apart in the second period, yet it wasn’t enough to halt Florida’s momentum. This marked Dallas’ first back-to-back losses of the season.

Goalkeepers in Action

Florida’s Spencer Knight turned away 23 shots, while Casey DeSmith of the Stars made 20 saves. Stars Coach Peter DeBoer stayed at 619 victories, just one win short of matching Bryan Murray for the 20th spot on the all-time list. Notably, DeBoer has a history of 103 victories with the Panthers.

Reinhart Sets Record, Greer and Nosek Shine

Reinhart’s performance (10-11-21) surpassed any Florida player through the first 13 games of a season. The previous 13-game high was 17, a record also held by Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk (2022-23), and Jonathan Huberdeau (2020-21).

Greer’s decisive go-ahead goal at the 2:32 mark of the third period was assisted by Tomas Nosek, marking his first point for Florida.

Finnish Players Make Their Mark

The seven Finnish players from both teams combined for 11 points in the series. Panthers’ captain Aleksander Barkov led with four points, while Mikkola of Florida and Esa Lindell of Dallas each scored two. Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen of Florida, along with Miro Heiskanen of Dallas, each added a point.

What’s Next for the Teams?

The Stars will host Chicago on Thursday, marking part of a stretch where they play three consecutive games in three different countries: Finland on Saturday, the U.S. on Thursday, and Canada at Winnipeg on Nov. 9. The Panthers, on the other hand, will commence a five-game homestand on Thursday against Nashville.

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