CBS Miami’s Steve Goldstein: Florida Panthers start off season taking part in playoff style

Dawn — If last spring wasn’t sufficient with close, down-to-the-wire, really hard-nosed hockey, there is a lot more of it these times for the Florida Panthers.

Each video game has been within a objective in the 3rd period of time. With quite a few new gamers and several crucial injuries, the defending Eastern Convention champs are choosing up factors at a superior clip, placing them selves in a great posture in the tricky meeting. In the NHL, it is hardly ever too early to peek at the standings.

Playoff Bob

Sergei Bobrovsky has been solid and arrived up with a shutout in Detroit on Thursday in his 650th NHL sport. He is the 41st goalie in league heritage to perform that quite a few games.

New D Shines

With Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour damage, they are equally on their way back again before long. 4 new defensemen are taking part in for the Panthers. As a team, they have been sturdy, and the forwards have been diligent in coming back to assist out.

Bennett In & Out

Second-line heart Sam Bennett started out the period injured and now is out once again. He returned for a big match towards Boston, and appeared great driving his line with Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk, only to have a freak incident place him on the sideline once more. The very good news is, like Montour and Ekblad, Bennett really should return rather soon.

Barkov #1

Thursday in Detroit, Aleksander Barkov moved into 1st put on the franchise’s all-time game titles performed record. Barkov arrived in South Florida 10 many years back, drafted second all round at 17 many years previous. He is as humble, not just as a professional athlete, as any human being you are going to discover. Coachable, “egoless” in mentor Paul Maurice’s description, and a welcoming teammate, Barkov, has built his existence felt. He is a tireless employee on and off the ice. When it really is all claimed and performed, he will be the franchise leader and most large statistical categories. What’s remaining now….bringing a Stanley Cup to South Florida.

Possess the Wings

Remarkably, Thursday’s gain was the Panthers’ 10th consecutive victory towards the Red Wings. The Cats have also received 19 of the very last 21 towards Detroit, and Sergei Bobrovsky is 12–1 as a Panther in the matchup.