CBS 4’s Steve Goldstein: Panthers playoffs commence now

MIAMI — With the NHL All Star sport and all the festivities that occur with it in the rear view mirror, the Panthers get started their stretch run.

There are 30 game titles remaining in the normal period and the team’s margin for mistake is slim — razor skinny in truth. That interprets into every single game and every single shift being vitally vital.

Breaking it Down
The Panthers have three dwelling games in this very first week back following the All Star split. Eighteen of the final 30 game titles are on property ice and they only leave the Eastern time zone for two additional game titles.

This is the payoff for the grueling, street large initially aspect of the routine. After subsequent week’s 4-recreation road vacation, the Panthers get started a just one thirty day period extend with just one particular street sport, and that’s a fast soar about to Tampa.

Healthier and Recharged
The very last match ahead of the break was a thrilling last second occur from powering with against the league major Bruins.

It ended a stretch of game titles in January that the Panthers had to occur up with wins in get to stay alive in the playoff race. They did sufficient to continue to keep them selves in the discussion.

Now they enter the ultimate two months of the season right after a long 9 working day split, permitting gamers to relaxation and mend up. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was banged up but should really be prepared to carry most of the load. Immediately after a gradual commence to the period Bobrovsky picked up his participate in and the Panthers will need to have about 20 significant end online games out of the veteran goalie.

Duke?
Anthony Duclair got hurt past summer working out and has not played a sport this year. He really should be out there for the stretch run. Introducing a fast, 30 goal scorer should really be a big increase for the playoff thrust.

“Other” All Star
With Matthew Tkachuk acquiring all the nicely deserved headlines it would be a mistake to forget about about Aleksander Barkov. He is on a career higher 11 recreation level streak and appears like the best edition of himself.

Like Bobrovsky, the Panthers have to have a the greater part high stop, prime line middle effectiveness and minutes from Barkov. He experienced the capability to be the ideal participant on the ice in any offered activity and he looks primed for the obstacle.