Florida Panthers Finally Return Home After Split in Finland

The Florida Panthers three week global trek has finally come to a close, and the Cats returned from Finland with a confidence inspiring split with the Chicago Blackhawks.  The Panthers took game one on Friday with an impressive 4-3 shootout win.  On Saturday, the legs failed them and the Blackhawks dominated the lifeless Panthers in a 4-0 victory. 

While the second game was certainly a disappointment, there are still plenty of positives to take away from their opening weekend.  In game one, the Panthers looked like the dominant team for long periods of time.  Pete DeBoer’s system that took a few months to fully take affect last season looks like it is ready to go right from the start.  Tenacious forechecking and an attack first, and then attack again mentality kept the ‘Hawks on their heels early on.  The Panthers were also able to bounce back after every Chicago goal, coming back from 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 deficits, and even an opening goal by Jonathan Toews in the shootout.  Offseason acquisitions made an immediate impact.  Ville Koistinen had a goal and the game winning shootout goal.  Steven Reinprecht had a nifty assist and a shootout goal.  Dennis Seidenberg had an assist.  Surprisingly, the Panthers were outshot 55-24, although you never would have guessed it watching the game.  24 of Chicago’s shots came in the final period, which may have been a sign of tiring legs, something that would become much more evident the following night.  But perhaps the most important thing to take away from the Panthers opening night was that they were able to get a shootout win, something that eluded them so often and cost them a playoff spot last season.

Unfortunately the following night, it looked as though the 11 games in 17 days and second in as many nights,  along with the thousands of miles traveled during the Panthers preseason, caught up with the Cats.  Only three pucks found their way to the Blackhawks net in the opening period, and it was not long before Chicago’s scoring talent put the game out of reach in the 2^nd period.  For Panther fans, just chalk this one up to tired legs and a mentally exhausted team and move on. 

Not all the news regarding the Florida Panthers came on the ice, however.  Noteworthy tidbits from the first few days of NHL action include;

-First round draft choice Dmitry Kulikov made the opening roster and played over 16 minutes on opening night, and over 20 in game two.  He has a rifle slap shot and could play an important role in the Panthers power play, which struggled last season. 

-Randy Sexton was officially named general manager of the Florida Panthers.  He had been acting GM throughout the offseason, and did a solid job.  Now he adds the title to his resume. 

-It did not take long for official GM Sexton to make a move, signing Dominic Moore to a one year deal.  Moore played in Toronto for most of last season before being traded to Buffalo at the trade deadline.  He adds even further depth in the faceoff circle for the Panthers and should chip in nicely offensively. 

-The Florida Panthers finally have some time off and will not play again until Friday in New Jersey.  Their home opener will not come until Saturday night, when they take on division rival Carolina.

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