Panthers’ Nate Schmidt ties record for most goals by defenseman after two playoff games

Florida Panthers’ defenseman Nate Schmidt became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to score three goals through the first two games of the playoffs, after the blueliner scored in Game 2 of the Panthers’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Schmidt achieved the feat four minutes into the first period Thursday night, scoring on a goal assisted by Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov.

In his first season with the Panthers, the 33-year-old Schmidt had five goals and 14 assists for 19 points, averaging 16:32 of ice time in 80 regular-season games. In 12 NHL seasons, Schmidt has scored 52 goals and 187 assists for 239 points in 741 career regular-season games with the Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Capitals.

Schmidt’s most productive season came in 2017-18, where in 76 regular-season games, he scored five goals and 31 assists for 36 points, averaging 22:14 of ice time.

Schmidt has also appeared in 78 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, scoring 10 goals and 21 assists for 31 points.  He was part of the Golden Knights’ inaugural season, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final.

An undrafted free agent, Schmidt spent three seasons playing college hockey at the University of Minnesota. In three years with the Golden Gophers, Schmidt had 12 goals and 61 assists for 73 points in 96 NCAA games.

The Panthers finished the season with a 47-31-4 record and 98 points, third in the Atlantic Division. Reinhart led the team in both goals and points with 39 and 81, respectively. Barkov, who missed 15 games with injury, led the team in assists with 51.

Despite missing 30 games with injuries, largely due to a lower-body injury sustained while representing the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthew Tkachuk still finished with 22 goals and 35 assists for 57 points.