Vincent Trocheck Scores Latest 3rd Period Game-Winning Goal in Panthers History

Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck lit the lamp with 4.6 seconds remaining in Monday's game against the St. Louis Blues. It marked the latest game-winning goal scored in the third period in franchise history, per the Elias Sports Bureau (via ESPN.com).

Trocheck's tally was his 21st goal and 42nd point over 58 games so far this season. He's now riding a six-game point streak, totaling eight over that span. The 23-year-old forward posted his highest career point total (53) last season and is on pace to surpass that this year.

The Panthers finished off their five-game road trip Sunday, winning all of them. The road sweep represented the first time in franchise history that the team won all of its games on a road trip of five or more games. However, it had just 30 opportunities to do so previously.

Florida's surge over the past couple of weeks has moved it into playoff position after a tough start to the season. The club still owns a minus-13 goal differential on the campaign, but that's drawn closer to even on a nightly basis of late.

Part of the team's recent success can be attributed to the return of a couple of its young stars. Both Jonathan Huberdeau (Achilles) and Aleksander Barkov (back) rejoined the lineup Feb. 3 following extended absences, and the team has posted a 6-1 record in the seven games since their return.

If the Panthers remain relatively healthy the rest of the way, they have plenty of firepower to make a run in the postseason. After a first-round playoff exit in 2015-16, the club will look for a better result this time around, should it earn a bid.