Last Thursday, forward Jonathan Huberdeau became the second player on the Florida Panthers to reach 90 points this season.
This really came as to no surprise; Jonathan Huberdeau was entering the Isles’ game with 89 points, just one point shy of reaching the 90-point plateau for the first time in his NHL career.
The Florida Panthers may have started flat, but that didn’t stop Jonathan Huberdeau from reaching a new mark in his career.
After ringing a shot off the post with under ten minutes left in play, Huberdeau was anxious to get the monkey off his back and record a point of some sorts to bring his team leveled.
As he continued pressing up and down the ice, the “Hockey Gods” eventually rewarded him for his dominant play and unlucky results in prior plays during the game.
On a power play which Huberdeau drew and created, he was sprung on a breakaway from defenseman Keith Yandle, sent to face Thomas Greiss in a one-on-one duel.
Needless to say, Huberdeau slid the puck between Greiss’ five-hole, leveling the game at a goal apiece and recording his 90th point of the season.
Unfortunately, the Panthers would end up falling to the Islanders in a shootout, 2-1. However, with Huberdeau entering the 90-point club for the first time in his career, he joined fellow linemate Aleksander Barkov in the process.
It’s incredible what those two have shown throughout their careers and especially this season. Although, it’s an absolute shame that Florida will miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season, considering the two 90-point players they have on their roster.
In addition, they also received career highs out of forwards Mike Hoffman (69) and Evgeni Dadonov (69) – two other goal scorers in their own respective state.
Heading into the offseason, the Panthers will have a lot on their to-do list that will need checking off in order to complete a roster that cannot only make the playoffs but one that can go deep and make a push.
Be sure to tune in @7 P.M. as the Panthers host the New Jersey Devils for their final game of the 2018-19 NHL season.