It did not come easy, however.

The Panthers scored the first three goals of the night and took care of the Blackhawks with a 5-3 win.

Florida had a 3-0 lead before the Blackhawks closed to within a goal twice in the third.

Florida, coming off a loss to the Red Wings, have won seven of 10 and head back on the road for three games starting Saturday in Washington.

Vilmanis not only had his first multi-point game in his NHL career but scored twice in the win — including in the third to boost Florida’s lead back to two.

Jones has 19 points off three goals in his first 16 games of the season.

NOTES: BLACKHAWKS AT PANTHERS

• Verhaeghe had a hand in the first two goals Wednesday, his 43rd career multi-point period with the Panthers – one more than Reinhart for fifth-most in franchise history. Barkov has 100 of them.

• Vilmanis had the first multi-point game of his short NHL career with two goals and an assist. He came into the game with a goal and two assists in 14 games this season.

GOALS OF THE GAME

FHN’S 3 STARS

• 1. Sandis Vilmanis, Panthers

• 2. Sam Reinhart, Panthers

• 3. Frank Nazar, Blackhawks