The Florida Panthers are trying to get back into the playoff race. They are now four points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the last wild-card spot, with points in six of their last eight games. However, the team now has one thing to fix before costing them a big field in the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers were unable to hold onto a lead to close out a game. A team that doesn’t play well defensively in the third period can lose their season one season at a time. With how close they are to the final playoff spot, they can’t let victory slip away.
Panthers losing lead in third
The team has been able to squander multi-goal leads in recent times A 4-2 lead 5–4 in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 17. So far, the team’s record is 18-9-2 when scoring first.
“We’re working on our wits right now,” Florida coach Paul Morris said. “You might not be able to see it because there was a bit of fatigue there towards the end of the game, we didn’t have that push or sharpness, but they are working hard enough to win games.
Paul Morris in their 5-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on January 17
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Cats need to do better. They have allowed the most third-period goals in the NHL at 66, with a third-period goal differential of minus-20. Additionally, they scored zero game-winning goals and allowed four in overtime, a minus-4 differential, and Won only one of the two games That has been a shootout. That’s stunning, considering last season, they had the most rebounds in the NHL with 11, were second in goals in the third with 112 and led the league in allowing the fewest goals in the third with 73, their third-period goal differential of plus-39. . This season, they have only two wins while trailing after two periods.
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The only glimmer of hope is that the team is 19-2-3 when leading after two.
The Panthers must go on offense
Panthers head coach Paul Morris needs to tape the puck to his offensive stars and let them do what they do best. The team has some great two-way forwards as captains Alexander Berkov and Anton Lundell, and they’ve shown they can play well on the penalty kill. But it needs to be improved They are also 21st in the league in kills with a 75.4% success rate.
Also, the team tends to sit back and play defense when they have a lead. While it’s great with a big cushion, good offensive teams will take it apart like pizza at a kid’s birthday party.
Is Florida scheduled for the playoffs?
The All-Star break is less than two weeks away, and if the Panthers want to get back in the playoff hunt, they need to get back to their game. Of course, the roster is very different from their “Comeback Cats” last season. but, The talent is still thereWith players like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and the like Carter Verhaeghe.
The Panthers have won five of their last eight games and should be able to put a good run together in the second half. But, if they continue to explode in the third period, it will be a very unsuccessful season after last year’s historic one.
My name is Joey. I’ve been writing about the NHL for about 3 years with my experiences spread between TSJ 101 Sports and Panther Parkway. I look forward to you reading my article!
