When you are Florida PanthersGoals are just a click away when you hit the ice.
They are the NHL’s most prolific team, scoring an average of 3.5 goals per game. With a middle-of the-pack defense, they have more total goals than any other league team. Sometimes they seem like Stanley Cup champions, who outscore their opponents. Sometimes they are desperate to get out of trouble.
They can be a lot of different things but they are never boring.
Interim coach: “It’s always fun to win,” Andrew BrunetteIt’s possible to be a little …” at night, but it happens.
Brunette points at his head.
“There are more gray hairs around here than ever before for a reason. But, I am a fan of this game and love to watch. It’s great entertainment for fans. He stated that we are an entertaining team.
The Panthers’ average goal differential was 4.12 in 51 games. They are the only NHL team to score more than four goals per match. Their power play is just 14.8%, which is a result of their stellar 5-on-5 performance. The team has scored 146 goals, 19 less than the next-highest team. Carolina Hurricanes.
Carolina coach: “That’s my juggernaut team.” Rod Brind’Amour said. “They are hitting it now. They’ve done a fantastic job with how they assembled this team. There are no flaws. They live up to their identities. You will get a high-octane group. Or they’ll make it pay you.”
It was believed that Wayne Gretzky-led the 1980s. Edmonton OilersWould intimidate teams by looking at their stats sheets, before even stepping onto the ice.
“[We’re]Not like the Oilers. Brunette stated, “No one’s like Oilers.” “But, when we get into our building, and start rolling line-after-line, I think it puts a little fear in their eyes when we come in.”
Brind’Amour put the following: “A fun group to watch.” There’s nothing to play against.
The Panthers paradox is that, despite being a steamroller Brind’Amour has made them appear to be this season. They’ve beat his Hurricanes three times with a plus-5 goal differential and then they have games against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Nashville Predators. They had a 3-1 advantage in the second half. They wasted it in a 37 second stretch. They ultimately lost 6-4 against a Predators team with backup goalie David Rittich.
Florida defenseman Radko GudasAccording to him, “obviously, there’s some things we have to look after” as the season progresses.
“In the third period we might be gambling too much. We don’t play the easy game. Gudas explained that they are trying to create something special. “We must take a good look at ourselves. Although it’s not something serious or alarming, it’s one that we must learn from.
Forward Jonathan HuberdeauThat education includes the realization that the Panthers are not able to rely solely upon their high-octane offense.
“We love scoring goals. We all know that we are capable of scoring goals. It’s also a place where defensively we need to do better. He said that he doesn’t think it is possible to win 8-5 games every night.
It’s hard to get ahead when you have four or five goals. It is hard to be more defensive. You start cheating [defensively]And other stuff. We want to score four goals in the first period. However, those are not going to happen all of the time.
Huberdeau is an expert in this area.
The Panthers selected Huberdeau in 2011 as the third overall draft. Ryan Nugent-HopkinsOilers Gabriel LandeskogBy the Colorado Avalanche. He was 19 when he joined the NHL. The Calder Trophy was awarded to him as the top rookie during a 48-game campaign that was lockout-shortened.
He has played in 16 playoff matches in 10 NHL seasons. This includes a four-game loss during the qualification round in 2020’s summer “bubble”. The Panthers as a team have not advanced beyond the first round of playoffs since 1996, when Huberdeau was just 3 years old.
“We had years when we didn’t win as many games. Even when we didn’t win, ownership was there for the players. Huberdeau stated that now it was our turn to prove that they chose the right players.
Huberdeau received help in 2013 when the Panthers drafted him center. Aleksander BarkovThe second overall pick, right after Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon.
Huberdeau stated that Barky is a great player and person. He is all about hard work. He is so dedicated. He is committed to the game. We get along. We don’t always understand each others’ language but we’re trying.”
They would always play in the same dominant line for many years. It is a testament to the depth of the team that it was able to create its own scoring lines this year, spending only 106 minutes at 5-on-5.
Brunette, who assumed the Panthers’ bench seat in October 2021, said that “they play really well together, and the depth on our team is to have them on both lines is a real privilege to have.” Joel Quenneville resignedFollowing the Chicago Blackhawks‘ player abuse investigation.
Brunette stated that the stars share a “friendly rivalry,” which Huberdeau also acknowledged. “He pushes my every day. “He’s so talented and watching him makes it easy for me to do better,” he stated.
They are two different players — Huberdeau is a playmaking winger and Barkov is a two-way centre who won the Selke Trophy last year — and they’re both different people.
“Barky’s like a quiet guy, obviously. He got more funny throughout the year, you know? Sneaky funny! Huberdeau said. Huberdeau said, “Me, i’m a bit louder. Enjoy having fun. But we get along.”
Huberdeau is louder in the scoresheet this season. Huberdeau is now the NHL’s leading scorer with 72 points. This is one more than his previous record. Connor McDavidOilers. He’s miles ahead of the next top scorer on the Panthers. Sam ReinhartObtained from the Buffalo SabresIn the offseason, there were 49 points.
For the first time in his professional career, the forward at 28 years old has been named MVP.
“I’ve never been nominated or recognized for anything. This year, however, I have improved my game. I am also playing better defensively. Huberdeau stated, “Just trying to help the team.” I don’t care about the trophies. I haven’t yet won a playoff stage. This is my goal for the year.
A roster that is centered around Huberdeau and Barkov as well as defenseman Aaron EkbladAll three top draft picks are available to the Panthers, giving them a solid base from which to work towards that goal.
At least one other notable competitor has recognized their potential.
“It was fun to follow their progress as a group,” he said. Victor HedmanYou can find the Tampa Bay Lightning. “The amount of goals they have scored in the last month is unbelievable.”
Hedman, who was selected second in the draft in the previous summer, joined the Lightning in 2009. He was a 19-year old who joined the roster. Steven Stamkos, who was the number one overall pick in 2008’s draft.
The Lightning were in a rut after failing to win a playoff series in four years since their 2004 Stanley Cup victory. The Lightning would not win a playoff series in 2011 during an anticipated trip to the Cup Final.
Hedman’s vision of the Panthers is that Huberdeau (and Barkov) are proxies for him and Stamkos, star players who survived tough times and now have a chance with a contender.
“That’s what you must go through. It’s not for everyone. There are guys who go through it.Tyler] SeguinHedman, smiling, said that they won the Cup in their first year. “But [the Panthers]Have been building for a long period. They are a great team.”
Hedman called the Panthers a “phenomenal team” and went as far to say so. He was highly enthused about the Panthers’ forward depth that Bill Zito, GM, has added with names such as Reinhart. Sam Bennett, Anthony Duclair, Patric Hornqvist Carter VerhaegheDuring his time at the helm. He praised their defense, with names such Ekblad, Gudas. MacKenzie Weegar Brandon Montour. He shouted “great goaltending!” Sergei BobrovskyIn the midst a revival season.
Hedman stated, “It’s just fun playing against these guys.”
The playoffs saw the Lightning and Panthers meet for the first time ever in each franchise’s history. This six-game thriller was perhaps the most thrilling series of the postseason. The final game was Game 3. It featured a six-goal second quarter and overtime victory for the Panthers against eventual Stanley Cup champions.
The competitive relationship between franchises caused animosity that was previously unimaginable.
Hedman stated that “You look at last year’s playoffs, especially the first couple of games, it was chaos out here.” “I believe that we need it for hockey to thrive in Florida.”
With a combination exciting offensive players and consistent postseason success, the Lightning have grown their fanbase. Both are present in the Panthers’ roster, but they lack the other. Huberdeau hopes that they can change this.
He said, “The next part is going to the most fun.” It doesn’t matter how you performed before. It’s not easy to get into a good position in the standings. But it only gets harder. You never know what can happen in the playoffs. Every team gets in. You can be the first, or the eighth. And you can win Stanley Cup.
It’s important to set goals. The Florida Panthers have more goals this season than any other team.