Florida is also the first team in over 100 years to record four or more hat tricks before its 10th game of the season. The last team to do it was the Toronto St. Patricks (five in 1922-23).
The Panthers became the second team in the past 105 years to record four or more hat tricks over a three-game span or fewer, with the Quebec Nordiques getting five in two games from Feb. 20-22, 1981.
“The speed of our offensive game is coming together,” Florida coach Paul Maurice said. “Now, you’re starting to see some chemistry form with different players. I liked the pace we played at.”
Niko Mikkola and Sam Reinhart each had a goal and an assist, Matthew Tkachuk had three assists, and Brady Tkachuk had two assists for the Panthers (5-2-2). Jacob Markstrom made 20 saves.
Shane Wright, Frederick Gaudreau and Ryker Evans scored for the Kraken (5-3-1), who were 3-0-1 in their previous four games. Berkly Catton and Kaapo Kakko each had two assists, and Joey Daccord made 29 saves.
“We got beat in every area,” said Seattle coach Lane Lambert, whose team completed a 3-1-1 road trip. “What did I need to see? A lot more everything. … Tonight was not good, but the trip was good. Seven out of 10 points? We’ll move on. We have a really important game Tuesday (against the Detroit Red Wings). That’s going to be our focus from here.”
Bennett gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 1:05 of the first period when he batted in the rebound of a Matthew Tkachuk shot.
Wright tied it 1-1 at 4:54, knocking in a centering feed from Catton.
Verhaeghe scored two goals late in the period — the first at 17:56 and the second at 19:07 on the power play — to give Florida a 3-1 lead going into the second.
“It’s hard to pinpoint one thing (that went wrong),” Wright said. “Just not our night. They obviously were a much better team. We just have to get home and regroup. … Tough response to their goals. At the end of the period there, then two quick ones to start the second. Kind of deflating.”
