Bennett scores twice as Panthers beat Blue Jackets

Sam Bennett scored twice and Jacob Markstrom stopped 37 of 38 shots as the Florida Panthers beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4–1 on Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. Florida had lost its previous two games.

Bennett opened the scoring on the power play two minutes into the second period. Florida went ahead 2–0 just over two minutes later, and Columbus cut the lead to one before the second intermission.

Bennett made it 3–1 at 14:29 of the third period, with both teams skating four aside. Florida added an empty-net goal with 2:16 remaining.