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Horton, Panthers take advantage of struggling Senators

Jan 23, 2008 - 4:30 AM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- The Florida Panthers used some stellar play in goal and crisp offensive execution to dismantle the best team in the Eastern Conference.

All-Star Tomas Vokoun stopped 43 shots and Nathan Horton registered a career-high four assists to lead the Panthers to a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.

David Booth and Stephen Weiss each had a goal and an assist and Tanner Glass tallied for the first time in his NHL career for Florida, which won for just the fourth time in its last 13 games.

"It's been a while," Glass said. "I've been waiting 22 years for it, but it's a dream come true."

Vokoun, the Panthers' lone All-Star representative, evened his record at 20-20-3 while holding the most powerful offense in the league in check. The Czech netminder was at his best during a furious second period which saw him stop 19 of 21 shots.

"Vokoun played unbelievable," Glass said. "A lot of big saves tonight."

The Senators' loss gives them five in six games since All-Star Dany Heatley went down with a separated shoulder. Captain Daniel Alfredsson - the club's leading scorer - returned on Tuesday after a two-game absence, but was held to three shots on goal in 20 minutes of ice time.

"It's a big win, a big two points and it keeps us right there with the other teams," Horton said. "They (the Senators) have been sliding the past few games, but it's good they didn't start getting hot with us."

Florida had lost to Ottawa in two prior meetings this season, and had lost nine of the last 10 matchups here.

"It's nice to get a win against them," Weiss said. "They've definitely had our number, especially in our building."

"It's frustrating," said Ottawa's Mike Fisher, who scored on a deflection with 1:59 remaining in the game. "It seems like every little breakdown or mistake, it's in our net. Defensively, we're not solid at all. Not playing strong, making some bad decisions and getting beat. We've just got to find a way to tighten up defensively."

Booth set up the game's first goal, fending off defenseman Andrej Meszaros in the left circle before flicking the puck to defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who was skating into the slot. Bouwmeester fired a one-timer over Ray Emery's left shoulder for a 1-0 lead with 2:15 remaining in the first period.

Ottawa tied it 13 seconds into the second period on Dean McAmmond's fifth goal of the season, but Florida responded 6 1/2 minutes later when Horton passed from top of the circle to Glass, who took a shot from the hash marks and beat Emery for his first career goal.

"I didn't see he was open at first," Horton said. "It was a great shot. A great first goal."

Glass also received a fighting major in the second, but came up an assist short of the "Gordie Howe hat trick."

"It's something I can bring to the team, and (Chris) Neil was willing," Glass said, laughing about the fight. "So bring it on."

Neil pulled Ottawa even again at the 9:55 mark in the second, but Weiss fired a slap shot from top of right circle that beat Emery for a power-play goal nine minutes later to give the Panthers the lead for good.

Horton got the primary assist on Florida's two tallies in the third period to lead his team to the easy win.

"I want to do what I can to help the team have success," Horton said. "If it's not scoring goals, it's making plays and creating chances."

Florida coach Jacques Martin said he was not surprised by Horton's game.

"That's part of his game," Martin said. "He's an all-around player. ... He's not selfish at all. He can make plays, and tonight was an example of that."

Emery finished with 35 saves for the Senators, who went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Alfredsson said what ails the Senators is more than just missing Heatley and his 56 points.

"Sometimes we try to do too much," Alfredsson said. "We know a team like Florida has trouble scoring goals. We give up 3-on-2s way too many times today. That's fundamental. We can't shoot ourselves in the foot. Make them work their way for their goals. That fourth goal was the heartbreaker."