NHL3 hours ago2 minute read

Florida Panthers Make NHL History in 8-3 Win Over Seattle

Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett score hat tricks as the Panthers beat Seattle 8-3 to set an NHL scoring record.

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Panthers Set NHL Mark in Win Over Seattle

The Florida Panthers made league history on Saturday night, rolling past the Seattle Kraken 8-3 at Amerant Bank Arena. Carter Verhaeghe scored a natural hat trick, and Sam Bennett added three goals of his own in the victory.

With the win, Florida became the first team in NHL history to record natural hat tricks in three straight games. Brady Tkachuk started the streak with natural hat tricks in wins over Columbus on Tuesday and Vancouver on Thursday. The Panthers also became only the third team in the past 30 years to post a hat trick in three consecutive games, joining the 1992 Calgary Flames and the 1982 Edmonton Oilers.

Verhaeghe and Bennett Lead the Attack

Bennett opened the scoring for Florida only 1:05 into the contest, tallying his first goal of the season. He found the net again in the second period and finished off his hat trick in the third. Niko Mikkola and Sam Reinhart scored as well, while Matthew Tkachuk contributed three assists.

Verhaeghe took control late in the first period. He scored two goals just 1:11 apart, then completed his natural hat trick with 13:58 remaining in the second period to push the Florida lead to 4-1. The Panthers now have four hat tricks this season, all coming in their last three games, which matches their total from the previous three regular seasons combined.

Samoskevich Faces Former Team

Seattle tried to keep pace with goals from Freddy Gaudreau, Shane Wright and Ryker Evans. Kaapo Kakko and Berkly Catton chipped in with two assists each for the visitors.

The matchup brought former Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich back to Florida. Samoskevich scored 27 goals in 156 games with Florida over the past three seasons, earning a Stanley Cup title in 2025. Florida traded him to Seattle in June for two draft picks, using one of those picks to acquire Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa. Samoskevich entered the contest with three goals and one assist in his first seven games with Seattle.

What it means for the next game

Detroit Red Wings at Seattle Kraken (NHL, Wed, 21 Oct): Seattle Kraken win 49%, Detroit Red Wings win 51%; projected score Seattle Kraken 3, Detroit Red Wings 3. Our safest pick: Red Wings +2.

Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators (NHL, Wed, 21 Oct): Ottawa Senators win 63%, Florida Panthers win 37%; projected score Ottawa Senators 3, Florida Panthers 3. Our safest pick: Under 8 goals.