The Panthers head home with their tails between their legs after losing all four games of their road trip.
Apex predators at the beginning of the season, Florida finds themselves more in the domesticated house cat territory as of late - playing from behind, losing leads, and relying on the “Cardiac Cat” moniker to try and scratch together wins.
Their last game against Tampa was an exciting one however - who would have thought two teams from Florida would be the ones to rejuvenate the NHL’s hated rivalry roots - but they ultimately found themselves in the losing column yet again.
While they did a great job to even the score at two, the Cats fell in OT when a tired three-man unit surrendered a breakaway to Brayden Point who put it past Bob for the 3-2 finale.
Despite the loss, one of the positives from the Panthers’ side was that they looked to have a jump in their step. I have no doubt that can be attributed to playing their rival TBL but it’s something that can help them break this losing streak if they can find that level for play nightly.
It wasn’t desperation as much as it was playing fast, confident (especially after netting their first), striking when the opportunities were there, and pushing back. In fact, Florida had a bunch of really good looks that were just plainly and simply bested by Vasy. What can you do when Vasy is being Vasy?
And so they turn their attention to tonight where an Islander team finds themselves also on a losing streak (two games).
The Panthers have the mojo advantage going for them as they have been stellar on home ice, winning seven straight games.
New York is wrapping up an exhausting 12-game road trip tonight and will be looking to snap their own losing streak in the process. Where the Cats own the home ice advantage, NYI owns the overall advantage as they have downs the Cats seven times in their last 10 games against Florida.
The Islanders are very good at protecting the lead, so the Cats would do well to have those fast starts in their own barn.
With Marchment and Nutty still in a “wait and see” status, I know some folks aren’t liking Carlsson on the blue line but I like him and wouldn’t mind seeing him get some more reps in for his development.
Also solid lines right here:
Would love to see the Cats overwhelm the Islanders offensively tonight. Per
Winners and Whiners
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The Islanders have lost three of their last five games and their defense wasn’t very good, especially in their last two games, with the team giving up nine goals. They are playing their second game in consecutive nights against a Panthers team that has been dominant at home, winning the seven games they have played there this season, including a 5-1 win over the Islanders, so expect them to struggle defensively in this game. Even though the Panthers struggled defensively during their road trip, they are back at home, where they are giving up a little over two goals per game and won’t have trouble slowing down the Islanders, who scored only four goals in their last three games, so go with Florida to get the win.”
Something To Think About
There have been some rumblings that the Blackhawks could be looking to move Toews and/or Kane. I’m not so sure how legit they are but if the Hawks want to do a real rebuild, moving one of or both would certainly be a start/signal that the rebuild is on.
The Panthers will get back on track, and barring theres no massive catastrophes, will hopefully be seeing post-season action. While it’s dependent on so many factors from now u til then, let me present a hypothetical:
Florida is getting ready for the playoffs. The young Lundell is a budding star. Do you roll with him as the 3C or would you want Toews in that spot?
Yes. Toews is not the same guy he used to be but he wouldn’t have to be on this Panthers team. I think Toews on that third line in a shutdown role would be awesome for the playoffs. Add to that a bonafide leader and winning pedigree.
In my fantasy scenario here the Hawks retain some salary and the Panthers send Chicago some kind of prospect/pick combination since they’re in rebuild mode.
It’s just a goofy thought I had but the Cats would be pretty nasty down the middle with Barky, Bennett, Toews, Luostarinen.
Lots of fun possibilities to think about.
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Let’s get back on track….Go Panthers!
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