Sunrise, Fl. — The Florida Panthers kept it close against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday before a combination of sloppy play, questionable officiating, and a penalty kill caused the cats to sink.
Thursday’s rematch looked uncanny.
The game was tied at 2-2 early in the second period. The Panthers were still in the game when they trailed 3-2 one minute before the second intermission.
That’s when the game got away from them – or taken from them, depending on who you ask.
Death by power play
The Panthers came into Thursday night with the fourth-best penalty kill with an 87 percent success rate. Until Thursday, they hadn’t allowed multiple power-play goals in a single game all year.
That’s what made the loss so perplexing.
The Panthers allowed three power-play goals on five opportunities. It was the worst special teams performance we’ve seen all season from a team that prides itself on special teams.
“We need to get those killed,” Maurice said. (The Devils) move the puck around. They’ve got a good power play. Getting a handle on it at times – So about the gap on the third, kicked the second one in. So there wouldn’t have been a theme to it. It starts with the face-off, and after that, it’s out.”
Of course, those power plays for New Jersey weren’t without controversy. Down 3-2 late in the second period, the Panthers went on the kill when Niko Mikkola allegedly interfered with Jack Hughes. It seemed like it should’ve warranted an embellishment on Hughes, as he fell pretty easily when turning a corner while jockeying with Mikkola.
Alas, the Devils would score on that man advantage just before the intermission.
The referees also missed high-sticking from Dougie Hamilton against Sam Bennett in the third period, but who’s keeping track?
Anytime, anywhere
It doesn’t seem to matter where Paul Maurice lines up Jesper Boqvist. When he’s on the fourth line, he can be a grinder. When he’s on the third line, he can be a facilitator. When he’s on the second line, he can be a playmaker.
Because of a slew of injuries to some of the Panthers’ top forwards this year, Boqvist has found himself on each line except for the top at some point this year.
With second-line center Sam Bennett missing Tuesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, Boqvist slotted into that line with Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe.
Even when Bennett returned in Thursday’s rematch, Maurice penciled Boqvist onto the second line with Bennett and Tkachuk.
It only took 13 minutes for Boqvist to leave his imprint on the game. Two minutes after the Devils opened the scoring, the 26-year-old Swede dangled a puck between the legs of New Jersey defenseman Dougie Hamilton in the slot. With nobody to beat but goaltender Jake Allen, he went backhand-forehand across the crease and buried it for the equalizer.
Boqvist slices and dices his way through the defense!
Nice goal to even the score for the #FlaPanthers. pic.twitter.com/ggb9TSSsyP
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) November 15, 2024
Panic Button?
Ok, this subheading is tongue-in-cheek. This is the second time this season the Panthers (11-5-1, 1st place in the Atlantic division) have lost two games in a row.
Now, it certainly doesn’t feel great that both games were stinkers, losing a combined 10-3. But the Panthers have set themselves up with a solid cushion.
I asked Jesper Boqvist if there’s a common issue between the two losses against NJD this week
“A little bit last game, some of the same tendencies … something we have to watch and learn from” pic.twitter.com/t0bym8R84d
— Alex Krutchik (@AlexKrutchikFOF) November 15, 2024
Things won’t get easier. The 15-2-0 Winnipeg Jets come into town on Saturday, and then both teams will fly to Winnipeg for a rematch on Tuesday.
Should the Panthers just flush this game and burn the tapes?
“No, you gotta deal with it,” Maurice said. You’re not going to let it go. But you don’t put a weight on it that you shouldn’t carry. I haven’t loved the last two. But you’re not gonna love them all.”
When asked if this is a game the Panthers should flush away, Paul Maurice said:
No, you gotta deal with it. You’re not gonna let it go. But you don’t put a gonna weight on it that you shouldn’t carry. I haven’t loved the last 2. But you’re not gonna love them all pic.twitter.com/FfhFAFz8uL
— Alex Krutchik (@AlexKrutchikFOF) November 15, 2024
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