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Battle of Florida: Rd 2, Gm 2 |
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The kickoff of the Battle of Florida Part II was disappointing for two main reasons:
1. The Panthers lost
2. Lack of intensity
I personally thought the game was closer than the final score showed. In fact, I thought the Panthers looked good in the first period. The overall team defense was solid in the first 20 minutes. Florida forwards were getting back to help out and support the defense, they were gumming up lanes, etc.
Some people are pointing to the hotly debated (on some circles) goal challenge where contact was made with Bob’s head as being the event that did the Cats in. But the biggest difference-maker was special teams. Plain and simple. Tampa went 3/6 on the PP, while the Cats went 0/3. First off, you CANNOT give Tampa a chance on the PP, let alone six opportunities…they’re just too good and will make you pay. Everyone knows that.
Secondly - and more disturbing - is the fact that the Panthers were blanked three more times on the power play, extending their postseason PP drought to 0-21.
Completely unacceptable.
I said it last blog, but you almost have to try to not score on the man advantage when given that many opportunities as an NHL team. This group is far too talented to not score when given an extra man on the ice. Eddie Olczyk called it out each time Florida failed to convert on the PP last night when he said their inability to give a new look is doing them in. It’s the same, broken plan every time.
I know the players have to toe the line here, but the below quote from Duke is pretty maddening. “We’ve got to stick with.” Huh? “It” isn’t working.
They have to get this fixed ASAP or they might find themselves on the outside looking in pretty quick here. Sounds dramatic, but only putting up one on Tampa and squandering three power play opportunities just isn’t going to cut it.
Tonight’s Game Plan
1. Stay. Out. Of. The. Box.
2. Get the PP unit working - at least once if given a chance (baby steps)
3. Disruption out front: Vas had a handful of high-danger saves, but most of his night was pretty routine. This guy is the cream of the crop goalie and has been for a long time. He can single-handedly win games - and has done so many, many times. Florida has to make his night tough if they want to start getting pucks past him. Something that can help is getting bodies in front of him to prevent him getting comfortable and into a groove, because once he’s in it, it’s almost impossible to score. Getting into high-danger areas with guys out front is the real goal here.
4. Raise that intensity: There was a real lack of fire in terms of physicality on both sides during Game 1. I think everyone was expecting more from that department based on last year’s matchup. I would love to see the Cats come out of the gates throwing the body around. Tampa had a number of pretty easy zone entries last game. Florida would do good to make this more difficult for the Bolts by separating Tampa puck carriers from the biscuit and always having a body on someone when in the defensive zone. Even one big hit can change the course of a game…
5. You can’t always rely on momentum: The Cats love a good momentum shift. Who doesn’t? But it’s not always there, nor should it be relied on. Florida needs to set the tone, get up on the scoreboard and control the game.
Bonus: Let’s see the big guns find the twine. That always gets the boys going.
Cats are being given another big break with Brayden Point out yet again. They have to take advantage of this very big loss to the Tampa lineup…
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Hey, let’s have a good Game 2 here…Go Panthers!
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