This series has caused multiple small heart attacks in my living room thus far. I fully expect to have several more tonight as the Cats look to go up 3-2 in the series.
Game 4 was a wild one…
Florida has had some luck on their side regarding NY big guns like Kreider, Zibanejad, etc., not finding the back of the net (yet). Cats defense/forecheck has certainly helped in this aspect, but we can’t discount the luck factor either.
The biggest story so far has to be the play of Shesterkin (but don't discount our Bob!). This guy is unbelievably dialed in. Florida had multiple huge chances, including some big breakaways, only to be stoned by NY’s blue paint sentry.
Sticking on Shesterkin for a minute…if we’re going to credit the luck factor for Rangers big guys being quiet so far, we can certainly point that luck arrow in the direction of the Panthers as well. The first and second goals had a lot of luck. Hey, I’ll take it, especially since that’s what it takes to beat #31 right now.
That being said, the OT goal by Reinhart was not only nasty skill/shot placement, but it gave me (and hopefully the Cats) belief that Shesterkin is “human” and capable of being scored on. Granted, no goalie is probably stopping that one-time rip, but the Panthers should feel good knowing that they can get to the right spots on the ice and score. Nothing more frustrating than pouring on the pressure that Florida has been these last two games in the third periods/OT and not being able to score. Well, now they know they can, and I hope that trend continues.
In the end, it takes a combo of preperation/execution, talent, and luck to win.
I’ll tell you what…Okposo looked darn good on that fourth line in Game 4. He had the hot stick all night and almost buried a couple. Keep him in and maybe move Lorentz out in favor of Lomberg. Now you have a serious fourth line crew.
I don’t know what Game 5 holds. If the Cats can bring that third period energy for a substantial portion of the game, they will be tough to beat tonight.
What I
do know is that this guy has to be in the conversation for all-time clutch postseason performers.
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Bring the pace and pressure for 60 minutes.
Go Panthers!
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