Tkachuk's third-period goal lifts Panthers past Kings 2-1

Tkachuk breaks the tie in the third

Matthew Tkachuk scored in the third period to give the visiting Florida Panthers a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena. The win moved Florida to 2-0-2 with six points, while the Kings fell to 0-2-1 with one point.

The game drew 18,145 fans.

Tkachuk's wrist shot, assisted by Sam Bennett, was the only goal of the period and stood as the winner. It was Tkachuk's second goal of the season and Bennett's third assist.

Kings strike first, Panthers respond

Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the first period on Alex Laferriere's wrist shot, assisted by Erik Haula. It was Laferriere's first goal of the season and Haula's second assist.

Florida tied the game in the second period. Seth Jones scored on a wrist shot, assisted by Lars Eller, for his first goal of the season; it was Eller's third assist.

The score stayed 1-1 until Tkachuk's goal, and the Panthers held the lead the rest of the way.

By the numbers

Each team scored once through two periods before Florida's third-period winner. No overtime was needed.

Laferriere led the Kings with one goal, and Haula added an assist. For Florida, Tkachuk and Jones scored and Eller and Bennett had assists.

Sources

ESPN