Vladimir Tarasenko got his initial two goals as part of the Panthers team, and Florida defeated the Calgary Flames 5-1 on Saturday.
Tarasenko, obtained by the Panthers from the Ottawa Senators in a trade on Wednesday, got his first goal by intercepting Jonathan Huberdeau’s pass with his stick and shooting the puck past Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom with a quick wrist shot 23 seconds into the second period. He celebrated with a joyful one-knee fist pump.
Tarasenko, who also provided an assist, scored his second goal late in the second period.
Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett, and Kevin Stenlund also scored for Florida while Anthony Stolarz made 34 saves.
The Panthers have now won 17 of their past 20 games and maintain a one-point lead over the Boston Bruins for the top record in the league. The Bruins defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on Saturday.
Yegor Sharangovich scored for the Flames and Markstrom made 26 saves.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad (672) surpassed current Flames forward Huberdeau (671) for second place in games played in Panthers franchise history.
Ekblad left the game with a leg injury after colliding with Tarasenko late in the first period and did not return.
Florida forward Evan Rodrigues left the game after blocking a slap shot with his ankle late in the second period and also did not return.
Newly-acquired Panthers forward Kyle Okposo did not play after getting traded to Florida on Friday.
