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The Panthers kicked off their West coast road trip by getting their first win in what seems like ages against the San Jose Sharks.
I thought they looked good overall, though there was a fair share of sloppiness and they let the Sharks start to sneak back in. But the Cats managed to net three in the third and get the W.
While it was a better effort, it still was not not a complete game to me. Even against a weak team in the Sharks, I didn’t feel that command that I thought Florida should have through 60 minutes.
And that Power Play...c’mon, boys. You can’t keep putting up goose eggs on the man advantage. This game saw the Cats go 0/4 on the PP. Brutal.
Exciting News
I really liked seeing that Alexsi Saarela has been recalled and will be in the lineup tonight against the Ducks. I like it for a few reasons:
1. The Panthers are in need for a change. Not like this is anything major, but it brings a guy in with a different look and set of skills.
2. They’re easing him in by letting him get a couple games against weaker opponents (Ducks, Kings).
3. I really liked what he had to say in the below video about having an empahasis on the defensive side of things. If this guy can get back and help/be reasponsible defensively, and still generate offense, that will be awesome.
If you forgot about Saarela’s experience, here is part of the press release that can be found on The Panthers website:
“Saarela, 23, has appeared in three games with Florida this season. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound native of Helsinki, Finland, also played in 43 games for Springfield (AHL), recording 31 points (12-19-31), and five games for the Rockford Ice Hogs (AHL), notching one assist.
Saarela has played in 195 career regular season AHL games over four seasons (2016-17 to 2019-20) for Springfield, Rockford, and the Charlotte Checkers, producing 139 total points (73-66-139). He won the 2019 Calder Cup with Charlotte, notching 15 points (7-8-15) over 17 postseason games.
Florida acquired Saarela from the Chicago Blackhawks on October 22, 2019, in exchange for defenseman Ian McCoshen. He was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the third round (89th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.”
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Cats face a 24-28-7 Anaheim Ducks club tonight. A lot of the guys were talking about building off Monday’s win. Let’s see it happen, but better. Tighten things up and get that PP working. I’ve never seen a PP where so many times there were guys in prime position for a shot or stuff attempt and instead elect to try and force a pass to the middle...on that note, I’d like to see them move the puck better with simple, crisp passing. Eliminate the fancy stuff. Make the right (smart) pass and get things moving.
Keep building and get it done again.
Go Panthers!
(Image from TheHockeyNews.com)
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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