The Florida Panthers visited the young Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday, escaping the United Center with a 3-2 win thanks to a Lars Eller late game-winner. As usual, the Cats couldn't help themselves, handing the Blackhawks seven power-play opportunities. Thankfully, their penalty killers were superb, while Matthew Tkachuk got back on the scoresheet with a goal. Overall, Florida halted a lackluster road trip losing streak with a much-needed two points on Sunday afternoon.
Claw: Akira Schmid rebounds from shaky start
Considering that Jacob Markström is on the shelf, the Panthers' crease belongs to Akira Schmid, who has developed a trend of giving up early goals. Right on cue, Schmid surrendered the opening goal on one of the strangest bounces of the season. Thankfully, his teammates bailed him out by grabbing a 2-1 lead and securing a 3-2 victory. Overall, Schmid finished with 19 saves and a .905 SV%, his first contest of the year with a final SV% over .900.
Flaw: Panthers continue crossing the line with undisciplined play
In case no one knew, Florida has taken the most penalties in the NHL thus far this season. As a team that loves to play with an edge, not only do the Panthers take their play to the line, but they often cross it. For example, Radko Gudas laid an elbow to a young Blackhawks forward. None of the officials saw it, but on replay, he missed the chest and made contact with the head with a flying elbow. It’s moments like that that should worry Panthers’ fans. The play could have resulted in a major penalty and game misconduct, potentially leaving Florida shorthanded for five minutes and down a defenseman. We haven’t seen many plays like that this year, but the club is very undisciplined, and giving a team seven power-play opportunities one night will turn into a disaster.
Claw: Sandis Vilmanis and Lars Eller provide secondary scoring
When the team’s top players are goalless for a couple of games, it’s great to see secondary scoring help win hockey games. On Sunday, two Panthers players tallied their first goals of the year: Sandis Vilmanis and Eller, who had the winner with less than three minutes left. Among players who have appeared in at least 10 games, only defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and forwards Garnet Hathaway and Bokondji Imama have yet to score. Hopefully, those guys get in on the action soon to help support the main cast consisting of the Tkachuks, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Reinhart.
What’s next for the Panthers?
Florida will travel to Canada to face the Winnipeg Jets, who will be coming off their Heritage Classic matchup against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night. It will also be the Panthers' first meeting with Winnipeg since the Jets traded franchise goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
Add us as a preferred source on Google