The Florida Panthers are two games into the Maurice era and are sitting at a 2-0-0 record.
The matinee game in Buffalo was an entertaining one filled with the two clubs exchanging goals in a spirited battle that saw plenty of feisty action.
This game showcased Tkachuk’s continued impact via pest work and generating offense through a a goal and an assist. The Power Play that’s been mired in darkness, finally broke through and saw some light after going 2/6 with ramped up production through their opportunites: 24 shot attempts, 8 high-danger attempts and 14 scoring chances.
But the biggest thing by far in the 4-3 win over the Sabres was Florida’s ability to shut Buffalo down in the third period. If you can believe it, the Cats allowed only 10 shot attempts - with just five shots on goal - throughout the entire third period. Even more impressive is the fact that they killed off and extended 5-on-3 Buffalo man advantage. To put it another way, the Sabres had a shot on goal at the 14:54 mark and didn’t get another one on until 1:48 left in the period.
If you’ve followed this team the last few years (or any length of time, really), you will understand that this was a big step forward. Even having their best year in franchise history last season, if they didn’t have a multi-goal lead, there was always that fear that they would let the opposition back in because they lacked the ability to take control and shut it down defensively. Saturday’s win showed that this team is now capable of doing that. Let’s hope they continue to trend in that direction.
Reinhart couldn’t have said it better:
"It's nice to get off to a start like we have. A bunch of new systems and a bunch of new guys all trying to get familiar. I've liked our pace. I've liked our work ethic. Our defensive game has been the biggest focus."
Congrats to Colin White on icing his 100th NHL point after ripping a one-timer past Buffalo goalie Eric Comrie in the first period to tie things up at 1-1.
As if that’s not enough positive things wrapped up in a win, Spencer Knight had a strong showing and already registered a bid for save of the year. I hope he keeps making me eat my words…
Headed to Bean Town
The Panthers will wrap up their three-game road trip tonight in Boston when they clash with another 2-0-0 team in the Bruins.
It will be interesting to see these two teams meet because Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery has apparently also instilled a defensive-minded approach to the game. Even though that’s their focus, Boston has done a pretty good job for themselves in the goal department, notching 11 in two games, and doing it all without the injured Brad Marchand - who will still be out when the two teams take the ice tonight.
Expect some apples from from Ekblad this evening because he’s racked up 13 assists in 25 career games against the Bruins. And from a team perspective, in their last six games in Boston, the Panthers have a 3-2-1 record.
Though early, this matchup can be a preview of two of the best in the Atlantic Division going at it. It’s always fun watching the guys on the big stage of the TD Garden.
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Go Panthers!
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