After a four-game losing streak relinquished first place in the Southeast Division, the Panthers have now re-taken the top spot with two straight wins this weekend. One night after defeating the Hurricanes in a shootout, the Cats came back on Sunday evening and added another win to break their tie atop the standings with the Jets. Florida defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2, reeling off four unanswered goals for the win.
The Habs beat Scott Clemmensen twice in the first seven minutes to take a quick 2-0 lead. David Desharnais opened the scoring at the five minute mark and then P.K. Subban added his fourth of the season on an unassisted power play goal. But that would be it for Montreal, as the Cats came on strong, out-shooting the Canadiens by 12 and scoring four quick goals to take command.
Stephen Weiss scored his fourteenth goal of the season to cut Montreal's lead in half at the end of the first period. Sean Bergenheim tied it up just a minute into the second period on the power play. Just three minutes later, Weiss would beat Peter Budaj to add another goal to give the Cats the lead for good. Brian Campbell would make it academic in the fourth, giving Florida a two-goal cushion mid way through the final period.
The Panthers now have a day off to travel north, where they'll face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night.
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