Canucks can’t rally against visiting Panthers

Florida able to hold off Vancouver for 4-3 victory

VANCOUVER — Nick Bjugstad scored a goal and added an assist as the Florida Panthers overcame a shaky start to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Wednesday night. The Panthers trailed 2-1 midway through the first period but battled back with three straight goals, the last two just 1:11 apart.

Evgenii Dadonov, Jamie McGinn, on a power play, and Alex Petrovic also scored for Florida (25-23-6).

The Panthers are 6-1-0 in their last seven games and are seven points behind the Carolina Hurricanes for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot.

Bo Horvat had a goal and two assists for Vancouver (22-29-6). Brock Boeser, on a power play, and Michael Del Zotto also scored for the Canucks, who are 1-6-0 in their last seven games.

Florida goalie James Reimer, making his second consecutive start after missing six games with a groin injury, stopped 34 shots.

Former Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo backed up Reimer in his return from injury.

Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom was replaced after allowing four goals on 14 shots in the first period. Anders Nilsson stopped all 20 shots he faced in relief.

The Canucks outshot Florida 13-6 in the second period and cut the score to 4-3 on Boeser’s goal on a 5-on-3 power play.

The Panthers led 4-2 after a first period that saw goals scored on some strange bounces.

The Canucks announced Wednesday that GM Jim Benning has been given a contract extension.