The Florida Panthers have been gunning for a playoff spot as of late, but their efforts have left them in much of the same spot as last season.
Another game, another Florida Panthers loss. What’s new in Pantherland? Nothing, I suppose. Losing has been quite the norm for the team this year, but let’s not even get into the discussion about the past, either.
The Panthers, like much as of late, really came out strong to open up the game against the St. Louis Blues. The offense was cycling and creating chances down low and in the slot, while the defense was getting pucks out on the first attempt.
This solid play eventually led to a late first-period goal. On the power play, Aaron Ekblad threw a shot through heavy traffic, which Borgstrom intercepted and stuffed into the net.
The Cats were high-flying from there and added to their tally with an early third-period goal. Like the previous one, this one also came on the man advantage, courtesy of captain Aleksander Barkov.
Like that, the Panthers were up by two goals against a team that was fighting for their playoff hopes. Although, it all came back around and bit them in the end.
Right after Barkov’s goal, the Blues answered right back and eventually found a way to beat James Reimer – who was playing like a brick wall.
Colton Parayko brought them within one, but it was Ryan O’Reilly who leveled up the game at two, slotting a loose puck in the slot through Reimer’s pad.
It all began to crash down on the Florida Panthers, as they conceded in the final four minutes of regulation.
Vince Dunn walked around Aaron Ekblad as if he was a pylon and walked in on Mike Matheson, toe-dragging the puck back and letting a wrister go off the post and in.
Of course, the Cats then suddenly woke up, attempting to find a late equalizer. However, more often than not, they failed and went from walking away with two points to suddenly having none in a 3-2 defeat.
Really, it was more of the same play that has led them to these type of results all season long. The same defensive mistakes occurred, and best of all, the Panthers let their foot off the gas pedal while owning a two-goal lead. That’s a huge no-no. A recipe for disaster if you will.
But does this really surprise you? This certainly hasn’t been the first time this has happened, and I can guarantee you it won’t be the last, either.
In all fairness, the Panthers played one period worth of hockey, ultimately deserving the outcome they faced. St. Louis dominated and dictated much of the play, as you could tell by their structure in place.
Realistically, if it weren’t for James Reimer and his 30 saves, the game could’ve gotten out of hand. As soon as the second started, the Blues corrected their mistakes and just took over the game as if they were in control the entire time.
If the Panthers had any chance of salvaging this season, this game, in particular, was one in which they needed to win. Of course, they didn’t, and it’s further proof that this team still has work to do in order to jump over that hurdle that’s been standing in their way for years.
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