Florida Panthers Split Global Series with the Winnipeg Jets
Taking part in their final game in Finland, the Florida Panthers were looking to draw even to close out the series. Was game #2 more kind?
Game #1 was the complete opposite of game #2 for the Florida Panthers. The Panthers got off to a great start to open up the series, but Winnipeg drew first blood.
The Cats rallied back twice to tie the game but it just wasn’t enough as they couldn’t grab a lead. Through most of the match, the Panthers were playing catch up hockey, which has been no stranger to this group this season.
But again, costly mistakes, poor execution, and undisciplined play was the difference maker in game #1 as the Cats fell to the Jets, 4-2. Oh, and did I mention the gruesome power play? Florida went 1/5 on the man advantage.
Fast forward a day later and the result was radically different. The Panthers – this time – got off to a slow start and were hemmed in their end for a good chunk of time. But thanks to Luongo – who returned from his injury – was able to keep the game scoreless.
It was only a matter of time until the Jets scored, as Nikolaj Ehlers put the Canadian side on the board first. However, the Panthers didn’t panic and leveled up the game through Evgeni Dadonov’s tip.
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Although, Panthers-killer Patrik Laine notched his fourth goal of the series, regaining Winnipeg’s lead (2-1). The Jets would escape the first period with a one-goal lead, but they were in for a real surprise come the second frame.
Outshot in the first, the Cats made some adjustments to start the second. They limited the Jets’ opportunities and kept them to just two shots for a good portion of the frame.
At the same time, Keith Yandle and Mike Hoffman both netted power-play goals, giving the Panthers their first lead of the hockey game (3-2).
Did I mention that the Panthers’ first three goals were all scored on the power play? It’s like a Christmas miracle, isn’t it? The Panthers – for the first time in almost forever – were perfect in the power play department.
In the third, the Cats finished off the Jets as
tallied his fourth of the season, giving FLA a two-goal cushion. And as nice as the finish was by Vatrano, it was the setup from
that was even better:
Thanks to Yandle’s game-winner and Vatrano’s cushion, the Panthers would go on to defeat the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 4-2.
Overall, the Panthers were better organized in game #2. The power play was miles better (3/5 vs. 1/5), defensive zone mistakes were minimized, execution not only on special teams but also on 5-on-5 improved, and best of all… the Cats stayed out of the box and eliminated unnecessary penalties (just one PP given to WPG).
If the Cats continue to play with this type of effort, there’s no reason why they can’t win on a consistent basis. After all, there’s still time to climb the standings, but that’s only going to happen if the Panthers can create a win streak of their own.
Next. NHL Global Series is More Than Just a Trip. dark
Your Panthers are back in action on Thursday, Nov. 8 @ 7 P.M. against the Edmonton Oilers. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our daily newsletter.