Sunrise – Very last Monday night time it was all lined up correctly. The Florida Panthers had crushed the Detroit Wings, transferring into a playoff location and using a seven-video game stage streak. They achieved the best of the big mountain they desired to climb right after getting nine details at the rear of.
Inexplicably, in the next a few games, the Panthers appeared very little like the crew that performed intense, wise hockey for most of 2023. They are continue to pretty substantially alive in the race, but their very first 3 sport shedding streak this year has put them again in ought to acquire manner with 9 games left in the frequent season.
What Happened
Soon after the earn in Detroit, the Panthers performed a lousy defensive activity in Philadelphia in entrance of goalie Alex Lyon. The scoring possibilities finished up in the back of the internet and the final result was a 6-3 loss. Equivalent video games followed at residence versus Toronto and the Rangers. Perhaps the long, hard climb again has taken its toll on gamers. They have shed three in a row in regulation for the very first time considering that December, heading into a four video game highway journey that commences in Ottawa. Momentum is a humorous factor in sporting activities.
Streaking Barkov
Enjoying his most effective hockey of the period, Aleksander Barkov is on a 10 game point streak. He scored twice from the web entrance past video game in opposition to the Rangers.
Bennett Out
It is now apparent, Sam Bennett is 1 of the most important gamers on this crew. His absence has coincided with the getting rid of streak. He plays a difficult nosed competitive playoff type of match, scores, and completes the line with Carter Verhaeghe and Matthew Tkachuk. The hope is he returns this 7 days as his absence looms massive. The Panthers are slender at centre with Bennett out of the line-up.
It is Nevertheless There For the Using
In spite of likely a week without the need of getting factors and trailing equally the Islanders and Penguins in the race for the remaining two playoff spots, the postseason is nevertheless on the Panthers’ plate. On this week-prolonged highway vacation, they play a few non-playoff groups and then appear home for four of the remaining five online games. But the margin for mistake is in essence totally long gone now, and they should locate their confidence and embrace the problem at hand. They have performed uninspired in way too several stretches in excess of this previous 7 days.
Smarten Up
The earlier week’s struggles are not all bodily. The Panthers are not taking part in a sensible game and simplifying matters when it really is termed for. Defensive zone breakdowns have resulted in aims that have been backbreakers. And as has been the scenario this time, far too a lot of penalties have been a variable.
Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.
Create your free account or log in
for more features.
