Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers PK Problems Flare Up (Again) in Loss to Canucks
SUNRISE — Problems with the penalty kill continue to plague the Florida Panthers and cost them again on Saturday night in a 5-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
Florida found itself in a two-goal hole in the third period, thanks in due part to a couple of rough showings on the penalty kill.
Vancouver put up 10 shots and scored on its first two power play opportunities to grab hold of the game.
The Panthers are now 15-for-23 (65.2 percent) on the penalty kill this season, which stands as the fourth-worst in the NHL.
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“On both of those kills, we touched the puck six times and that will kill you if you can’t clear the puck,” coach Paul Maurice said. “We have to be able to get it down there and win those battles.”
With the Panthers unable to break into those passing lanes and clear things, the Canucks hounded them on the power play with an efficient cycle game.
On both of their power play goals, Vancouver was able to pass it around an exhausted Florida penalty kill unit and get the shot it needed.
Quinn Hughes got the first 11:09 into the first period, firing off a shot from the point when the cycle gave the lane he needed.
Carson Soucy then walked into the slot around tired Panthers defenders and beat Sergei Bobrovsky high-blocker side with 9:19 to go in the second period to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead.
Both goals were scored with less than 30 seconds remaining in the man advantage.
Soucy got his first-ever power play goal with just two seconds remaining in the advantage.
“I think we need to get a little bit more in-rhythm,” said Sam Reinhart, who pulled the Panthers into a tie with a pair of third-period goals.
“They did a solid job of keeping tired guys out there. They really control the puck well and a lot of their offense comes late. They did a good job of controlling it and waiting for the opening.
“I think bringing the intensity early, maybe getting a bit more in-rhythm and getting some fresh guys out there might help a little bit for us.”
By the time the Panthers were able to mount a comeback effort — powered by Reinhart — it turned out to be too late.
Even after Reinhart tied it at 3, the Canucks came back the way they had for the majority of the game and regained the lead a minute later.
“Their first two periods were really solid. I think they were heavier in the battle,” Reinhart said.
“It wasn’t that we weren’t moving, I thought we were moving our feet. In the battles, they were just winning the vast majority of them.
“Early in the season, we’ve been able to kind of flip a switch in games, so I like that again tonight, but we have to do it earlier and be more urgent in the battles.”
PANTHERS ON DECK
SAN JOSE SHARKS AT FLORIDA PANTHERS
- When: Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
- TV/Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+
- Radio: WQAM 560-AM; WPOW 96.5 FM-2; WBZT 1230-AM (West Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); WCZR 101.7-FM (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932; NHL App
- Last season: Florida won 2-0
- This season: Tuesday @ Florida; @ San Jose, Nov. 14
- All-time regular season series: Florida leads 21-13-1, 7 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Saturday vs. Seattle, 6 p.m.
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Made first trip to revamped arena, outcome was, let’s say, less than desirable, but we had a good time. New sound system sounds great, same for new goal song. Year four without true season tickets, this year we went with a ten game package. Like everyone I was definitely surprised by the new prices at the arena, especially parking but, hey, inflation, as we all know, has impacted everything, so, kinda par for the course I guess. Was pleasantly surprised by how packed the arena was, the upper bowl was, Im guessing, maybe only 60% capacity, but the lower levels,… Read more »
The cost of everything was RIDICULOUS!!!! Why does this fanbase constantly kiss the owners arse when they take advantage of us every chance they get??? It’s like a form of Stockholm Syndrome – they keep taking advantage & we keep coming back, making excuses for them. I spent over $100 for parking, a pretzel, and a bowl of mediocre pasta!!! Insane!! I dunno, maybe I am just out of touch a bit but it seemed to be way too expensive. FOR THE RECORD, I am not mad at you Jay – I am upset that we don’t have a real… Read more »
I hear you about the cost at the arena. The prices were, let’s just say surprising. We have learned to eat right before going into snake. In a couple of bottles of water, it’s sad but necessary.
The funniest part about it is because of the package deal, our tickets were only $37 apiece,(57 regularly) yet I paid 45 for parking. That’s a sad commentary when the price of parking is more than the price of the ticket. It is what it is as they say, Im hooked, ill be back.
what a joke of a game. I was there, and saw the same things coach Maurice did. No puck support along the board: our guy would go in against theirs in a puck battle and they would send reinforcements (2 or 3 on 1) while our guys just stood there waiting for someone else to get their hands dirty (Tkachuk too). – PK Trouble: our PK is AWFUL, there is no aggression, and we allow them to just run down the slot and get grade A scoring chances from high danger areas – Less-Than-Replacement Level D: Our defensive pairs are… Read more »
So many factors contribute to any sustained winning drive. How about this angle I was more than half expecting to see Anthony Stolarz given the start of this game. Why not a highly touted 6’5”” 29-year-old giving a 35-year-old a little rest? We all know it’s only going to be a short stretch until the real 4-goal Bobrovsky shows up. Recall, it wasn’t Bobrowski that set the table for the playoff run, it was 30 year old Alex Lyon, with six wins in a row.
I believe it was only this extended rest that propelled Bobrovsky’s strong comeback. A little early to wear out the old man, eh P.M ?
FYI: Starting Stolarz v San Jose was the plan for weeks. He should also get a game on this upcoming road trip.