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The Big Test: Cats vs Bolts |
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The Panthers are set to face their biggest challenge of this young season thus far when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.
The defending champions have picked up right where they left off after hoisting the Cup and are chugging along with a 9-1-1 record. Their roster is stacked from top to bottom with talent. Four lines of speed and skill. A strong blue line and one of the best goalies in the league in Vasilevskiy.
Up until this point, the Panthers have faced an “easier” schedule than some of the other teams in the Central Division and have looked stronger in some games and weaker in others. But despite the slight variations in play, they sit in second (right being Tampa) in the division with a 7-1-2 record.
This upcoming three-game series against the Lightning should be a great benchmark, test, or whatever you want to call it for this Florida team. Is this second best start in franchise history (the first being the 1996-97 season) for real, or are they pretenders? Playing the best team in their division - and possibly the league - should answer that question...
Some Potential Keys to the Game
Defense
The Panthers defensive Corp/overall team defense has improved and they’re going to need it these next three games. They have struggled as of late with really fortifying the front of their net, however. Tampa will no doubt be looking to attack this soft area and get guys to setup there for prime scoring opportunities. Florida forward groups will have to give a big defensive effort and help on the back-check, along with defensemen forcing Tampa shooters to the outside - this is paramount against a team like the Lightning. They can score from pretty much anywhere, but giving them tougher looks from the outside will help minimize their chances. Florida has allowed 53 high-danger chances to the opposition so far in their 10 games, putting them at second fewest in the league (per Litter Box Cats). That’s a good trend to continue.
Even-Strength
It’s no secret that the Cats’ even-strength play is pretty lacking and they rely heavily on the PP. You can get away with that sometimes against weaker teams, but the good ones will keep you locked down both on even-strength and the man advantage. The Panthers have to figure out a way to start scoring 5-on-5. The first line is great at generating opportunities, but they need to start finishing said opportunities more often. The same goes for the other three lines. They are capable of getting some good chances, but incapable of capitalizing on them consistently. There’s just no way around a lack of even-strength production. This is a similar issue Florida found themselves in last year and need to improve.
Pucks and traffic to the net is a must tonight!
60-Minute Effort
Ric Flair was famous for cranking out multiple 60-minute matches (sometimes longer) throughout his career. Florida would be smart to take a page out of the Nature Boy’s playbook and adopt this mindset/ability. Even though they got the win on Tuesday against Detroit, they certainly didn’t end that game on a good note in my opinion. While it started out as a fast/physical game, by the third period, the Wings had taken over in my eyes. They were really taking it to Florida, out-shooting the Cats 13-3. I don’t know if the Panthers took the foot off the gas, struggled with Detroit’s speedier wingers, or a combo of the two...but they were lucky to squeak a 2-1 victory out that night based on how the third period was going.
The Panthers cannot afford to ease up at any point tonight. I imagine Q’s “pace” talk is probably at an all-time high heading into this game.
Minimize Mistakes
This goes without saying, but the less mistakes you can make, the better. Tampa is the kind of team that will make you pay for turnovers, bad passing, spotty rebound control, etc...
Goaltending
As mentioned in a previous blog, Bob has looked a lot better. Sure, he seems to give up one weak goal a game, but he pulls it together - saving the Cats’ bacon multiple times on Tuesday.
Both he and Driedger will have to be on point in this series - absorbing shots, rebound control, directing pucks into the corners when possible (and not out front) will make a big difference.
Intensity
It’s the in-state rival...the boys should be fired up! Need effort from everyone, but this is a great opportunity for new guys and rookies to prove their worth. Nothing better than having a big game against a hated enemy.
Unleash the beast and come out with the claws!
The Lineup
Looks like the lineup will be similar to Tuesday. Again, really liking that fourth line and hoping they play a nice disruptive role tonight. Looking for Lomberg to get some of these Tampa guys off their game a bit and for him and Acciari to wear down the Lightning with physical play.
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Should be a good one...Go Panthers!
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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