Florida Panthers Drop Third Straight; Playoff Hopes Slipping Away

Just two points out of the last Wild Card spot to begin the night, the stage was set for the Florida Panthers Tuesday when they took on Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers. The question was if they’d be able to play up to their competition, that was quickly answered with a no. 

On a night where Olli Jokinen retired as a member of the Florida Panthers, the guys out on the ice had a much more forgettable outing. The Cats came out strong in the first 9 minutes, but after a solid penalty kill and failing to convert on some grade A chances the Rangers would get on the board first. A Chris Krieder deflection from former Panther Steven Kampfer’s point shot would make it 1-0.

I guess you can say it was all downhill from there, Henrik Lundqvist made a huge save on an odd man rush to keep Vincent Trocheck and the Panthers off the board. They’d soon answer back with a goal after working the puck deep in the zone. Another former Panther, Tanner Glass would tap a rebound home past James Reimer to make it 2-0.

With their work cut out for them in the second period the Panthers needed to come out and take control of the game, they failed to do so. At 4:06 into the second, Kevin Hayes would go backhand on the breakaway to make it 3-0 Rangers. Yet another goal scored as the result of a poor zone exit/entry.

A more, bittersweet goal would be scored by Thomas Vanek (His first as a Panther) a little past the halfway point of the second. It seemed like the Cats were showing signs of life at 3-1, only if… Just about 2 minutes later Nick Holden would answer that with his own tally on a wide open shot making it 4-1, after a challenge for goaltender interference the goal would stand. Reto Berra would then come in and finish the game in net.

https://twitter.com/flapanthers/status/839297123527032832

In the third period we saw a desperate team come out, desperate coaching switching up lines to make anything work. It was obvious that the Panthers were running out of ideas but they also managed to take 22 shots and generate a lot of chances but were only able to beat Lundqvist one more time. Aaron Ekblad would be the one to do so on a power play late in the third, making it 4-2 but already seemed inconsequential with less then 4 minutes to go. The Panthers however would come up short of any comeback and after pulling the goalie would ultimately end up with the final score of 5-2.

With 17 games left it’s not over for the Panthers, but they also can’t be in a position where they need to win every game before the season ends. At this point of the losses like this can really put you behind the eight ball, It will be very interesting to see how the team will come out and respond against the best of the west Minnesota Wild. Time is ticking for the Florida Panthers, will they be able to turn it around before it’s too late? (Let’s hope so, I’ve had my playoff fund going since Summer.)

Next Game: Friday Vs. Minnesota 7:30pm ET