Florida wasted no time opening the scoring. On the power play, a severe defensive breakdown by the Predators left Sam Reinhart and Bennett alone in front of the Predators’ Juuse Saros (21 saves); Reinhart dropped the puck for Bennett to easily bury 1:23 into the contest.

Sam Bennett had a goal, assist and fight for a Gordie Howe hat ... Micheal McCarron scored and Juuse Saros made 21 saves for the Predators, losers of two straight. Bennett opened the scoring 1:23 into the game on an early power play. He later fought ...

Aleksander Barkov had two assists and Spencer Knight made 18 saves for the Panthers (35-21-3), who have won three of their past four. Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk missed his second consecutive game because of a lower-body injury.

Justin Sourdif, playing in just his fourth NHL game after being called up from AHL Charlotte on Monday, made a nice move to cut into Nashville’s zone and after a quick give-and-go with Jesper Boqvist, deflected a pass over Juuse Saros’ glove for his first NHL goal.

Forward Steven Stamkos, who signed a four-year deal with Nashville in the offseason, is currently in the longest point-less streak of his career — he has gone nine games without a point for the first time in his 17-year career.

Sam Bennett scored an early goal and added a late ... Filip Forsberg led the Predators with four shots. Juuse Saros finished with 21 saves in the loss. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily ...