Reinhart hat trick leads Panthers over Blue Jackets 8-4

Florida Panthers players celebrate their goal against Columbus Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins, left, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) (Jay LaPrete, Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sam Reinhart had his fifth career hat trick to lift the Florida Panthers over the Columbus Blue Jackets 8-4 for their fourth straight win.

Mason Marchment had two goals and four assists for a career-high six points to help Florida secure the top spot in the NHL standings heading into the All-Star break.

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Marchment’s six points also tied a franchise record, set by former Panthers captain Olli Jokinen in 2007.

Aleksander Barkov, Owen Tippett and MacKenzie Weegar picked up goals for Florida, and Reinhart added an assist.

Rookie Anton Lundell had a career-high five assists.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 32 shots for his 23rd win.

Patrik Laine had two goals, and Gus Nyquist and Emil Bemstrom also scored for the Blue Jackets.

Elvis Merzlikins gave up four goals on 11 first-period shots and made 11 stops in the second period before Joonas Korpisalo came in for the third period, stopping 13.


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