Mason Pulled Early As Flyers Get Dismantled By Panthers
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Jaromir Jagr and Reilly Smith each scored twice and Vincent Trocheck had a goal and three assists as the Florida Panthers dominated their season opener 7-1 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.
Nick Bjugstad and Jussi Jokinen also scored goals for Florida and Roberto Luongo made 39 saves.
The Panthers scored four goals on eight shots against Steve Mason in the first 6:46, a modern NHL record for the fastest four goals to start a season, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
Michal Neuvirth replaced Mason after the fourth goal and made 19 saves. Mark Streit scored the goal for the Flyers, who lost their second straight.
The 43-year-old Jagr is the NHL's all-time leader in opening day points with 39 on 13 goals and 26 assists.
Leading 4-0, his goal from the slot 33 seconds into the second period put the Panthers ahead 5-0. His second came 41 seconds into the third when he tipped in a rebound to make the score 6-1. Jagr now has 724 career goals, only seven away from tying Marcel Dionne (731) for fourth all-time.
Smith's second goal came during a 5-on-3 power play at 7:55 of the third to make it 7-1.
The Panthers took a 1-0 lead on Trocheck's goal 1:23 in. Jokinen shot from center ice and Mason blocked it, but Trocheck grabbed the rebound and poked it in.
Florida scored two power-play goals in 51 seconds to make the score 3-0. Bjugstad's shot from the left circle got past Mason's glove at 4:55 and Smith scored from in front at 5:46.
A gaffe by Mason led to the Panthers fourth goal. The goalie attempted to clear the puck from behind the net but it went right to Trocheck in the right circle. Trocheck's shot was blocked, but Jokinen tipped in the rebound to make the score 4-0, chasing Mason.
Notes: Luongo is 4-1-0 in his last five games against Philadelphia. Luongo took a stick to the head late in the third period from teammate Willie Mitchell, but stayed in the game ... Panthers F Rocco Grimaldi, who opened the season on the injured list, skated Friday for the first time since injuring an ankle in a preseason game against Dallas three weeks ago ... The Flyers have lost 21 of their last 25 road games.
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