“Sometimes they go in, and sometimes not,” Boqvist said. “I feel like our line played pretty well. We’re working hard and winning a lot of pucks down low, trying to play with speed. When we have time and space to do stuff, we will.”

From there, penalties proved costly for the Panthers.

After coming up short on their first two trips to the power play in the period, the third time was the charm for Utah as Logan Cooley lit the lamp to cut Florida’s lead to 2-1 at 13:41.

Stomping out any would-be comeback for Utah, Boqvist regained the two-goal cushion for the Panthers when he cashed in on the empty net from deep in his own zone to make it 3-1 at 17:59.

At 19:38, Eetu Luostarinen tacked on another empty-netter to make it 4-1.

Finishing strong, the Panthers led 12-3 in scoring chances at 5-on-5 in the third period.

“I liked the bench,” Maurice said. “I liked the mood of it. They’re pulling for each other, supporting each other, battling and grinding. Understanding we come into this building, these teams come wired for us and are ready. Get out of the first period even. We’re good on the road like that. Then I thought we built. Halfway through the first period we got our game going.”

THEY SAID IT

“He’s earned it. We’ve used him at left and right wing, and he’s played center for us. He’s played with different people. He’s a really competitive guy.” – Paul Maurice on Jesper Boqvist

“Speed, skill, hard work. He works really hard, but he also has that ability to take over games with his speed and skill. He has a great shot. We’ve seen that all year in practices and games. He’s fun to watch. He’s one of those players where it’s just a matter of time until he breaks out, and he’s breaking out right now. It’s been fun to watch.” – Aleksander Barkov on Jesper Boqvist

“He’s so good, right? It’s so fun to watch. Playing against him for a couple years, it’s not easy.” – Jesper Boqvist on Sergei Bobrovsky

CATS STATS

– Carter Verhaeghe extended his point streak to three games.

– The Panthers are 7-for-8 on the penalty kill over their last two games.

– The Panthers have four players with at least 30 points this season.

– Sergei Bobrovsky is the third goaltender to earn a win against 33 NHL franchises.

– Sam Bennett won a team-high nine faceoffs.

– Matthew Tkachuk and Jesper Boqvist each recorded five hits.

– The Panthers held Utah to just eight shot attempts at 5-on-5 in the third period.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Grab your popcorn.

Meeting for the third time this season, the Panthers will try to improve to 3-0-0 against the Boston Bruins when the two rivals clash at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.

For tickets, click HERE.

Gov. Spencer Cox plans to discuss unlocking energy potential on public lands among other issues as he heads to Mar-a-Lago on Thursday along with Republican governors from across the country to pitch their priorities to President-elect Donald Trump.

“I plan to talk to him, if I get the opportunity, about energy and about public lands and how we can unleash the energy potential, especially in the West,” Cox told reporters Wednesday after his ceremonial inauguration. “We need significant reform in the energy space, especially when it comes to nuclear, being able to permit nuclear.”

One of Cox’s main goals for his second term is doubling energy production within the next decade, and his vision for achieving that includes bringing nuclear power to the Beehive State for the first time.

Utah’s history with all things nuclear has been fraught, since an untold number of residents were sickened by exposure to fallout from atomic bomb tests in neighboring Nevada. Utah was later targeted as a site for a high-level nuclear waste repository — a plan that ultimately was abandoned.

Cox said he expects discussions to arise on housing affordability, border security and inflation — topics that are concerns for all of the GOP governors.

Utah’s chief executive said he also anticipates raising the status of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National monuments — which were created by Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, respectively, slashed to a fraction of their size during the first Trump presidency, and then restored under President Joe Biden.

Utah has sued the federal government over those monuments, and Cox said he would like to see the lawsuit progress.

“I don’t love the pingpong game that’s going back and forth,” he said. “That’s not good for anybody and it’s not helpful. And so, ultimately, we need the Supreme Court to decide some of those major issues.”

Cox has had an evolving relationship with the incoming president. He did not vote for Trump in 2016 or 2020, but, after an assassination attempt on candidate Trump in July 2024, the Utah governor wrote the former president a letter saying he believed he could unite the country.

He later appeared alongside Trump at Arlington National Cemetery, spurring controversy because political campaigning is not allowed in the hallowed space, and Cox’s campaign sent out a fundraising email featuring an image from the meeting.

Cox later apologized, calling it a mistake.

Since Trump won the election in November, the governor has expressed an eagerness to work with the incoming administration, particularly when it comes to deporting criminal migrants.

He said he has been “working very closely” with Utah legislators who presented a suite of bills aimed at “making sure that we’re getting rid of the offenders who are here and trying to fix legal immigration,” a move that Cox said would require a federal solution.

As the ski season has started, many wonder when’s the best time to hit the slopes. Ski season in Utah runs from November to May, though dates vary by resort.

Every skier and snowboarder has their own idea of the perfect day. Let’s figure out when it’s right for you to go.

Over the years, you’ve probably curated your own unique mountain style. With a seven-month season, there are different windows — each offering something different to fit your needs.

Whether you’re an après enthusiast, a powder fanatic or a fair-weather shredder, we’re here to help you figure out the best time to hit Utah’s resorts.

When the après-loving skier should hit the slopes

While the early months of the ski season — November and December — may offer fewer inches of snow, they still bring high-quality mountain memories and a vibrant ambiance for skiers and snowboarders alike.

That’s especially the case for après-loving punters — which “is a catch-all phrase that marks the shift from leg-burning ski runs to the social activities that follow,” according to Travel and Leisure.

Snow may be unpredictable in the early season, but the hustle and bustle of social skiers fills the lodges.

For a livelier vibe, Timberline Lodge at Powder Mountain offers live music, great food and dancing — perfect for warming up those cold limbs.

We all know skiing works up an appetite. If your stomach growls while riding the lifts at Solitude, head to St. Bernard’s for a tasty après buffet. One thing’s for sure: Whether or not the snow’s arrived, Utah’s ski resorts will never disappoint in a good time.

When the deep-powder skier will find the best conditions

Peak ski season runs from January through February, according to Canyon Services, since those months offer the best conditions of the year.

“Cold weather and abundant snowfall allow the base to settle, creating well developed bases with deep powder,” the article states.

While champagne powder calls your name, so do the long lines and crowds — January and February are the busiest months. But don’t let that discourage you.

With 15 resorts and hundreds of runs to choose from in Utah, there’s always a place to carve out your own perfect day.

When the fair-weather skier should make their mountainside appearance

Spring skiing runs from March through May. Many fair-weather skiers eagerly await the perfect bluebird day. Bluebird days involve bright sunny skies, calm conditions and often maintain average to above-average snow conditions.

On average, Snowbird enjoys 22.4 bluebird days between March and May, according to Snow Forecast.

As temperatures rise and layers come off, ski season starts winding down. To keep the stoke alive, Utah resorts host fun events and competitions to distract from the melting snow beneath our skis.

At Alta, skiers don wild costumes for the famous Frank World Classic event where skiers come together to celebrate the season and ski community, according to FreeSkier.

At Solitude, you can cheer on skiers at the Pond Skim Beach Party, according to their website, and relive the season at their Ski DJ parties. Snowbird invites you to rock your ‘80s gear while showing off your tricks in style.

Whether you join in on the festivities or just watch the entertainment, one thing’s certain: You’ll bask in the warmth of the sun, maybe even shedding your coat for the last runs of the season. Don’t forget your sunscreen!