Florida Panthers Roll Into 2025 with a Win

SUNRISE — The Florida Panthers might have eked out a win over the New York Rangers on Monday, but each team left with something positive to end the year.

For the Panthers, it was the end of the modest two-game scoreless streak.

Although the loss extended the Rangers losing streak to four games – and seven of the past eight – for the first time in some time, they showed cohesion.

Had the Panther not scored quick early goals by Eetu Luostarinen and Mackie Samoskevich, the Rangers might have prevailed.

For the duration of their extended slump, the Rangers have been weakened by falling behind early and then, as they say, being forced to chase the game.

After Monday, they are 4-16-1 when relinquishing the first goal.

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Had this been a more decisive win for the Panthers, it might have been the last game coached for the Rangers by Peter Laviolette. 

Media speculation still has him on thin ice.

The story behind the story is that Charles Dolan, the father of Rangers’ majority owner Jim Dolan and a cable television magnate, passed away Saturday. The family is in mourning.

They are not about to make a major move at this time.

Both Laviolette and GM Chris Drury get to fight for another day. Major player movements are the subject of much media speculation and are also on hold. 

Chris Kreider’s goal on Monday may have taken him off the priority list. Mika Zibanejad, who has been in a horrific slump, registered but one shot on goal and is still under speculation to be traded.

After receiving no southern hospitality from the Lightning or the Panthers, the Rangers leave Florida and head home to the sometimes not-too-friendly confines of Madison Square Garden to face the arch-rival Bruins on Thursday.

The Panthers, on the other hand, get to spend the rest of the week enjoying home cooking while facing the Hurricanes and Penguins before heading west.

The morale victory of solid play did not sit well in the post-game Rangers’ locker room.

“At some point, it’s got to be wins,” Adam Fox said. “Not just ‘did better 5-on-5.’ It’s got to be wins, and it’s extremely frustrating. But if we keep playing games like that, we will get wins. That’s really all it is.”

ON DECK: GAME No. 39

CAROLINA HURRICANES AT FLORIDA PANTHERS 

• When: Thursday, 7 p.m.
• Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise 
• Local TV: Scripps Sports — WSFL 39 (Miami/FTL); WHDT 9 (WPB); LAFF 36.3 (Naples/FTM)
• Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
• Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
• Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
• Last Season: Carolina Won 2-1
• This Season (Panthers Lead 2-0) — At Florida: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 0 (Nov.30); Thursday. At Carolina: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 3 (Nov. 29).
• All-Time Regular Season Series: Carolina/Hartford leads 73-49-10, 11 ties
• Postseason History: Florida 1-0 (2023 ECF)
• Up Next for the Panthers: Friday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m.