National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Florida 6, Pittsburgh 4
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Where: BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
Referees: Jean Hebert, Brian Pochmara
Linesmen: David Brisebois, Tony Sericolo
Attendance: 17378

Panthers 6, Penguins 4: Tomas Kopecky recorded his first career hat trick as host Florida scored four times with the man advantage to surprise Pittsburgh.

Tomas Fleischmann and defenseman Brian Campbell collected a goal and two assists apiece and Marcel Goc also scored for the Panthers, who won for the second time in nine games. Jose Theodore allowed four goals on 19 shots and was replaced in the third period by Scott Clemmensen, who made 15 saves.

Tomas Vokoun was pulled after allowing four goals on 22 shots for the Penguins. Chris Kunitz and James Neal contributed a goal and an assist apiece for Pittsburgh, which defeated Florida 3-1 on Friday but lost Evgeni Malkin to a concussion in the process. Captain Sidney Crosby added two assists.

Florida created a lot of traffic in front of Vokoun and it paid off in the second period with three power-play goals in a 5:32 span to chase the former Panther netminder. Vokoun, who is from the Czech Republic, took exception when Kopecky, who is from Slovakia, scored his second of the game - both players received roughing penalties in the ensuing melee.

Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 12 of 13 shots in relief and Pittsburgh scored three straight goals to even the score at 4-4 heading into the third, but Fleischmann beat him with a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle on a 2-on-1 early in the period. Kopecky completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal to put the game away.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Fleischmann’s goal was the 100th of his career. … The Penguins lost for just the second time in their last 10 games against Florida. … Crosby is tied with Tampa Bay stud Steven Stamkos for the league lead in points with 30.
Top Game Performances
 
Pittsburgh   Florida
Chris Kunitz 2 Points Tomas Kopecky 4
Chris Kunitz 1 Goals Tomas Kopecky 3
Sidney Crosby 2 Assists Brian Campbell 2
Chris Kunitz 1 Power Play Goals Tomas Kopecky 2
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Marc-Andre Fleury .923 Save Percentage Scott Clemmensen 1.000
Tomas Vokoun 18 Saves Scott Clemmensen 15
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Pittsburgh 34 4 1-5 3-7 18 30
Florida 36 6 4-7 4-5 14 32
Upcoming Games
  • Florida will play their next game at home against Buffalo. The Panthers have a W/L % of .200 after a win and .308 after a loss.
  • Pittsburgh will play their next game on the road against Carolina. The Penguins have a W/L % of .615 after a win and .667 after a loss.