Conor Garland is apparently quite comfortable in his new surroundings.
He’s been a massive addition in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ continued surge toward a playoff spot as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers on Thursday in Sunrise, Fla.
Garland, who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks at last week’s trade deadline, scored twice for the second straight game in the Blue Jackets’ 5-2 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.
Columbus stretched its point streak to seven games (4-0-3) with the victory and is just two points outside of the final wild-card playoff spot entering Wednesday’s action. The Blue Jackets defeated the Panthers 4-2 at home last Thursday.
Garland has four goals in three games with his new team. Garland also scored twice in the Blue Jackets’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. It is the first time he has recorded consecutive multi-goal games in his eight-season career.
“Just winning is what matters, it’s the best time of year to play in,” Garland said. “You’re going to be in tight games from here on out. It’s stressful, but that’s what makes it so fun.”
Ivan Provorov,Kirill Marchenko and Dante Fabbro also had goals on Tuesday, while Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan each had two assists.
“He plays the right way,” Werenski said of Garland. “He competes. He works extremely hard in battles. He’s a smaller guy but he doesn’t play like it, and that brings everyone else into the fight.”
Elvis Merzlinkins only had to make 16 saves and added an assist against Tampa Bay.
The Panthers, who are in desperation mode in their effort to make the postseason and have a chance at a third consecutive Stanley Cup, shocked the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 at home on Tuesday night as Carter Verhaeghe scored twice in the final 1:30.
It was their second straight win, both over the Red Wings, moving them 11 points back from the final wild-card spot.
“I think we deserved to win that,” Verhaeghe said. “There is only one way to play and that is to go out, win games, try and do your best. Once you start thinking about other stuff, it really doesn’t go that well. There’s one way to play, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Vergaeghe tied it 3-3 with goaltender Danill Tarasov pulled for the extra attacker with 90 seconds left and got the winner with 15 seconds left.
Matthew Tkachuk provided the primary assist on both goals.
“We have one job and it’s not to figure out where we finish in the standings. It’s to handle your day,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “The best that we can do is come out, have respect for the game and for each other. And, you know, hope for a miracle, I guess. With the guys out (captain Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart), we know that’s going to be a challenge. But we still have to be pros, and we have to almost honor the Florida Panthers game.”
Vinnie Hinostroza had a goal and an assist in his first contest with the team since being picked up at the trade deadline. It is his second stint with the Panthers. Hinostroza played nine games with Florida during the 2020-21 season, recording no points.
