Elias Pettersson scores twice to lead Canucks over Panthers 5-2

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Vancouver Canucks' Drew O'Connor (18) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Florida Panthers' Luke Kunin passes the puck as he is hit by Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson (25) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP) — Vancouver Canucks' Drew O'Connor (18) scores on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

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12:56 AM on Wednesday, March 18

The Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Elias Pettersson scored twice, including the 200th goal of his NHL career, and the Vancouver Canucks held on for a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.

The Swedish center opened the scoring at the 3:49 mark of the first period, blasting a one-timer in from inside the faceoff circle during an early power play. It was his 14th tally of the season and his first goal in 21 games.

Marco Rossi also scored and contributed a pair of assists for the Canucks, who rebounded from a lopsided 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

Vancouver center Aatu Raty and Drew O’Connor also scored and Brock Boeser added three assists. Kevin Lankinen — playing in his 200th NHL game — stopped 21 of the 23 shots he faced for his first win since Jan. 21.

The Panthers got a goal and an assist from Matthew Tkachuk. Sam Bennett also scored and Carter Verhaeghe had two assists.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 17 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who lost their second straight game.

Panthers defenseman Seth Jones returned to the lineup after missing 26 games with an upper-body injury. Bennett also played after an undisclosed ailment kept him out of Florida’s 6-2 loss to the Kraken in Seattle on Sunday.

Winger Nolan Foote played his first game for the Panthers after getting called up from the AHLs Charlotte Checkers on Sunday. His dad is Canucks head coach Adam Foote.

Up next

Panthers: Visit Edmonton on Thursday.

Canucks: Host Tampa Bay on Thursday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl