Ekblad’s OT Goal Gives Panthers 4-3 Win Over Avalanche

DENVER (AP) – Derick Brassard was on the cusp of a storybook start with the Colorado Avalanche until his former team wrecked the ending.

Aaron Ekblad scored 26 seconds into overtime, Roberto Luongo stopped 36 shots to earn career win No. 485 and the Florida Panthers beat Colorado 4-3 on Monday night.

The winning play was set up when Mike Hoffman sped down the ice after a faceoff, spun past defenseman Samuel Girard and sent a pass over to Ekblad, whose shot slid through the pads of Semyon Varlamov. Florida erased two deficits — including a 2-0 hole — to earn the victory.

“I believe in the character and the heart in this room,” said Panthers coach Bob Boughner, whose team has won five of six.…