In addition to the brilliance of Nico Daws in goal, Florida also hit a handful of goal posts
All good things must come to an end.
For the Florida Panthers, their recent nine game winning streak was not destined to hit double digits.
The New Jersey Devils made sure of that on Saturday night, taking down the Panthers 4-1 at Amerant Bank Arena.
It was a defeat that following a similar blueprint to several of Florida’s losses this season.
The Panthers were the better team for most of the game, but between a standout effort from the opposing goaltender and some puck luck bounces not going their way, it was clear that this was not meant to be a good night for the Cats.
Here are the takeaways:
Hot Goalie
Devils goaltender Nico Daws was due to have a signature NHL game.
The 23-year-old did not play at all last season after making 25 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign.
Making his fourth start of this season, Daws stopped 36 of Florida’s 37 shots, including 12 of 13 high danger chances.
The Panthers’ expected goals was 3.63, per Natural Stat Trick.
“They played real hard, they defended real hard, and their goaltender was really, really good tonight,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said. “If you’re going to lose a game and have that kind of a streak come to an end, it's probably the way you'd like to have it.”
Unable to convert opportunities
Florida outshot the Devils 29-10 over the final two periods, with scoring chances tilting the Panthers way 27-14.
As much as you can credit New Jersey’s young goaltender for the job he did, the Panthers will also be looking at themselves in the mirror for…
“We couldn't get a finish,” Maurice said. “I never liked saying that. I hate that. We had our chances.”
So many goal posts
About those chances.
On top of the 37 shots on goal, and 34 scoring chances, Florida also hit a plethora of goal posts.
What can you say. It was just one of those nights.
“I mean, I think we hit six posts,” Maurice said. “There's a handful of things that we can do better in the game that we've done well. I still don't think (the posts were) the deciding factor.”
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