Florida Panthers 3 Game Skid Comes To An End

As the season goes on, every game looms larger in importance for the Florida Panthers. Tuesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes was no exception, it was evident that the Cats needed these 2 points. With Roberto Luongo in net they looked to get their first win of the four game home stand.

The first period was by far the Panthers best period of hockey in the game and possibly the whole home stand. Problem is, the first wasn’t a sign of what team would show up  in the proceeding periods. The defense minimized the Hurricanes chances early and after a too many men on the ice penalty was assessed to the Canes, the Cats would get on the board on the power play.

Jaromir Jagr notched his 12th goal of the season off a beautiful feed from Jonathan Huberdeau to make it 1-0. Four minutes later Vincent Trocheck would make it 2-0 with his team leading 22nd goal on the season. So a 2 goal lead in the first, what could possibly go wrong right?

The Panthers would come out flat in the second, failing to regain any of the momentum they had gotten in the first. Nick Bjugstad was oh so close to making it 3-0 around the 9 minute mark but, it was negated because of a questionable quick whistle. Soon after that, Lee Stempniak would make it a one goal game off a cross ice feed from Teuvo Teravainen.

For the Panthers the third period was a chance to come back out and take control of the game, they failed to do so. Unfortunately the Hurricanes would make the Cats pay. At the 5:48 mark Sebastian Aho would tie things up at 2, and poof! The two goal lead was gone.

Both teams failed to convert on any chances for the rest of the third forcing the game to OT. The 3 on 3 period (always exciting) hosted a few chances for both sides but no one was able to put it away in time. This one needed to be settled in the shootout.

Aleksander Barkov would score the first goal of the shootout. Skating to the far right boards, back in and undressing Cam Ward going forehand backhand to beat him. That goal makes Barkov 5 for 8 in shootout attempts this season. Jonathan Huberdeau would make his first shootout attempt of the season (since returning from injury) and won it for the Florida Panthers, who snapped their ugly 3 game home skid.

You can try to pin point why the leads aren’t being held on to, the forwards aren’t scoring like they should, the defense is pinching too much, not playing aggressive enough with lead, Tom Rowe etc. Either way, the 2 points were needed more than they want to admit, but they’ll take them. It’s a tight race, now or never to make a push!

Next game: Thursday 7:00 @ Phi.