Bobrovsky makes 21 saves, Panthers shut out Oilers

EDMONTON -- Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves for the Florida Panthers in a 4-0 win against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on Thursday.

It was Bobrovsky’s fourth shutout of the season and 53rd in the NHL. He also earned his 454th career win, tying Curtis Joseph for seventh in NHL history.

“I’m definitely humbled and appreciative, so I thank God for everything that I have,” Bobrovsky said. “But I’m focused now on the next game; I don’t really think about that much.

“It’s a great achievement, you look at the goalies that are on the list, and I couldn’t even dream to be in the same category with them. And I still don’t believe it.”

Carter Verhaeghe and Anton Lundell scored, and Sam Bennett, Evan Rodrigues and Mike Benning each had two assists for the Panthers (34-31-3), who had lost two in a row and six of nine (3-6-0).

“I’m so happy for them. It’s been a grind, it’s been so hard and I think that’s the best defensive corps we put on the ice since two minutes into Game 2 of the season,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “So, we’ll see what those five guys can do, and Mike Benning played just a fantastic game. He moved the puck so incredibly well. We just never got ahead of the game, you have to defend.

“We played well tonight because we have so much respect for Edmonton. Even though Leon Draisaitl’s out of the lineup, Connor McDavid’s so dynamic he just forces your attention to the right style of game that we can play pretty well. We spent some time in our end and there was a lot of collapse into the net, and there were a lot of broken plays that didn’t go their way, it went our way. That’s kind of like the story of the playoff series, I think, and they would bring out the best in us.”

Connor Ingram made 19 saves for the Oilers (34-27-9), who had points in three straight (2-0-1) and were looking to win three games in a row for just the second time this season. Edmonton remained one point behind the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division.

“Obviously they had more jump,” Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse said. “We came out and lost 4-0, so I don't think we showed that side of our game. Yes, it should (be more evident), for sure.

“This time of the year, these points are vital. Every game matters, and we didn’t have it tonight.”

Cole Reinhardt put Florida ahead 1-0 at 11:12 of the first period, taking a lead pass from Benning and beating Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard in a footrace before deking in on a breakaway and tucking the puck past Ingram’s right pad.

“He was buzzing down the wing and all I had to do was put it on his tape and he did the rest. It gets you in the game, gets you excited,” said Benning, who was playing in his hometown. “It was a hard and simple game; we stuck to our strengths. I’ve only been here a short time, but it was fun to be a part of it and keep it going.

“A little extra excitement, I got some friends and family in the building, which is awesome.”

A.J. Greer made it 2-0 with 58 seconds left in the period, tipping Benning’s wrist shot from the point past Ingram’s blocker.

“We came in with the right mindset but just couldn’t find a way to break them down,” Edmonton forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said. “It’s always good to play a simple game against them and they played tight and we couldn’t find one to kind of kickstart us. Getting down 2-0 heading into the second against that team, it’s hard to come back.”

Lundell’s power-play goal extended it to 3-0 at 14:21 of the second period. He scored on a snap shot from the slot off a rebound after the puck slid out from a crowd in front of the crease, between the legs of Oilers forward Adam Henrique.

“We all remember each other very well during the two years we’ve been playing against each other and spending a lot of time in this building,” Lundell said of the past two Stanley Cup Finals between the two teams. “So being back gives you a little extra motivation and extra boost.”

Verhaeghe made it 4-0 at 15:23 of the third period, finishing from the slot past Ingram’s glove following an offensive-zone face-off for his 20th goal of the season.

“The guys worked really hard. I thought the effort was there and we just couldn’t find a way to score a goal,” Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said. “I don’t see it that they didn’t show up to play tonight. We came out strong, the first 10 minutes I thought we had the majority of the play.

“We had one shift where we had a couple of opportunities to score, the puck gets popped out and they get a breakaway goal.”

NOTES: Bobrovsky became the third goaltender in franchise history to record 20 shutouts, joining Roberto Luongo (38) and Tomas Vokoun (23). … The Panthers have recorded a point in 11 straight regular-season road games in Edmonton dating to the 2014-15 season. The only teams with a longer run against a single opponent are the Vegas Golden Knights (19 games against the San Jose Sharks) and Tampa Bay Lightning (17 games against the Chicago Blackhawks). … The Oilers fell to 0-10-2 this season when McDavid fails to collect a point. ... Edmonton forward Trent Frederic left after the second period and did not return. There was no update.