According to David Dowrk of The Hockey News on Monday, Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart of West Vancouver, British Columbia has been named the National Hockey League First Star of the Week for the week from October 14 to 20. In four games, Reinhart had four goals and five assists for nine points. He was also a +7 with two power-play points, one shorthanded point, 11 shots on goal, three hits, four blocked shots, and nine faceoff wins.
Reinhart began the week with two goals in a 4-3 Panthers win over the Boston Bruins on October 14. That was followed by one goal and two assists for three points in a 4-3 Panthers win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 15, one assist in a 3-2 Panthers overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on October 17, and one goal and two assists for three points in a 4-3 Panthers win over the Vegas Golden Knights on October 19.
Reinhart had a power-play goal and shorthanded goal in the Panthers’ win over Boston. He scored from Adam Boqvist at 11:51 of the first period to put the Panthers up 2-1, and then had an unassisted goal at 9:39 of the second period to put the Panthers up 3-1.
In 2024-25, Reinhart has five goals and seven assists for 12 points. Reinhart is the NHL co-leader in points along with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar of Calgary, Alberta, and New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin. Reinhart is also a +5 with three power-play points, two shorthanded points, 19 shots on goal, 19 faceoff wins, seven blocked shots, six hits, two takeaways, and 10 giveaways.
Reinhart’s other shorthanded point came this season came in the Panthers’s season opener, a 6-4 Florida win over the Bruins. Reinhart scored from reigning Selke Trophy winner Aleksander Barkov with one minute and 26 seconds left in the first period to put Florida up 3-1 at the time. Reinhart leads the NHL in shorthanded goals, with both goals coming against Boston.
The Panthers currently lead the Atlantic Division. With a record of four wins, two regulation losses, and one loss in extra time, they have nine points, and a one point lead over the second place Toronto Maple Leafs.
