Due to the Panthers’ performance in Game 3, this will be a pretty quick blog…

While Florida roared in Game 2, they purred in Game 3 — looking lethargic and out of sorts for 55 minutes of the 60-minute contest. What made Friday’s game especially disappointing was that it was on home ice, a place the Cats should have been fired up to be (especially coming off that big 6-3 win a couple days before).

We knew the best team in NHL history would have a strong pushback after losing but the Panthers only having 12 shots on goal heading into the third is simply unacceptable.

Maurice on bouncing back in Game 4: "We've got to scratch and claw to win tomorrow. That's the idea, to get off the mat after every loss and get back in the fight hard and fast. They did [in Game 3]. We did [in Game 2]. We each have one kind of rebound game."

— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 22, 2023

Okay, Maurice…so each team has had their rebound game. Now it’s time to win and keep winning.

Putting that loss aside, the big question now becomes: Who gets the nod in net?

Maurice had this to say after pulling Lyon late in the third:

Maurice said he only pulled Lyon to get Bob, who hadn't played since March 27, some action.

"There’s a risk, right? You put in a guy that’s been sitting for a while, but he needs a little bit of action. That’s all that was. It was not a critique of Alex’s game.”

— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 22, 2023

I actually agree with this logic. We know Bob might be needed at some point and he hasn’t seen any game action in a long time. Why not use the garbage time of an almost certain loss to get him some reps?

While I agree with the above, I would not agree with sitting Lyon today.

What do you guys think they will do? Or maybe the better question is, who do you want to see start? I personally want them to stick with Lyon. “Flinching” and changing the starter feels like Maurice losing the psychological warfare of this series because it would give a big boost to Boston knowing they knocked out Florida’s best option in net at the moment.

I don’t think Lyon has done anything wrong to lose the starting spot. A weak goal here and there (which he has to clean up), sure. But outside of Game 2, his efforts haven’t been supported by the guys in front of him. I think you give him this game and see how it goes.

Switching gears…I wonder if these means Ekblad might be out?

We have recalled Lucas Carlsson from @CheckersHockey. pic.twitter.com/iTaoO8WOMK

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 23, 2023

_______________________

I know it’s easy to be frustrated. We as fans have the right to be. But I’m trying to remind myself that they are up against the best regular season team in NHL history and an extremely talented group of guys. Can the Panthers beat them? Yes. I truly believe that. But max effort is required each and every game with the margin for error being razor thin. It’s a tall order for this Florida team but it’s doable.

Keep the focus, play hard, and let’s even this series back up…Go Panthers!

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