Brady Tkachuk Hat Trick Helps Panthers Defeat Blue Jackets 7-3
Brady Tkachuk recorded a natural hat trick during the second period and Matthew Tkachuk matched a club record with five assists as the Florida Panthers defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 on Tuesday night to snap a two-game skid.
Second-Period Surge Powers Florida Past Columbus
The Panthers took control in the middle frame on the Frozen Frenzy night in Columbus. Brady Tkachuk capitalized on a turnover by Carson Soucy in the Florida zone to tie the game 1-1 at 2:27 of the second period with his first goal of the season. He added a power-play goal three and a half minutes later, then completed his fourth career hat trick—and his second against Columbus—with another power-play goal at 10:30.
Matthew Tkachuk assisted on all three of his brother’s goals during the period. He also added an assist on Carter Verhaeghe’s goal, marking the first four-assist period in Panthers history and extending his personal point streak to six games. Brady Tkachuk became the ninth Panthers player to score three goals in a single period.
It was a great play by Matthew to kind of get the ball rolling, and we just wanted to keep going. And I just thought we got better and better as the game went on, Brady Tkachuk said.
Sam Reinhart Sets Records in Florida Win
Sam Reinhart contributed two goals and an assist, extending his point streak against Columbus to a franchise-record 12 games. His goal 1:20 into the third period also marked his 86th career power-play goal, setting a Panthers record.
The win improved Florida’s record against Columbus to 11-2-0 since the start of the 2022-23 season. Columbus dropped its third game in four outings, having surrendered seven power-play goals across 18 opportunities.
For Columbus, Kent Johnson opened the scoring unassisted at 14:11 of the first period. Denton Mateychuk and Cole Sillinger added third-period goals just 22 seconds apart, and Damon Severson recorded two assists. Goaltender Cam Talbot stopped 17 shots before being replaced after giving up his sixth goal at 3:28 of the third period, with Jet Greaves making four saves in relief.
BRADY’S GOT TWO!🔥Brady Tkachuk got his first and second goals as a Panther in quick succession. #FrozenFrenzy(via Blue Jackets Hockey Network) pic.twitter.com/Vq1tbvM4wg