Three takeaways: Panthers penalty kill surging, team focused on sustaining success
Strong goaltending from Anthony Stolarz becoming the expectation as backup continues to shine
Coming away with three of a possible four points when playing a back-to-back set on the road is generally a pretty good thing.
The Florida Panthers just did that, earning a victory on Monday in Ottaway before falling in a shootout Tuesday night against Toronto.
It was a frustrating loss for Florida, no doubt.
The Panthers scored first but were stymied for most of the night by Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll, who allowed the home team to hang around long enough to force the game into overtime.
Florida received equally solid goaltending from Anthony Stolarz, but in the end it was Toronto earning the bonus point in the shootout.
Speaking of Stolarz…
Another strong effort from Stolarz
Florida’s backup goaltender has performed quite well when called upon this season.
Stolarz did not disappoint despite being put in a tough spot, starting in a hostile building on the second night of a road back-to-back.
“It was great,” Maurice said of Stolarz game. “He's a big man and he got to the post a few times on a few scrums. I thought he had a couple of big seam saves, but I also don’t think it was a siege.”
Perhaps not, but Stolarz surrendered just one goal on a night his expected goals against was an eye-popping 4.12.
He finished with 31 saves, including 12 of the 13 high danger shots he faced.
Penalty Kill on fire
Florida has now killed 20 consecutive penalties following a 6-for-6 effort on Tuesday night in Toronto.
It’s a unit that knew it needed to improve year over year and despite a bumpy start to the season, the Panthers’ PK has rounded into an forceful, imposing group of shot-blocking, check-finishing killers.
“Our penalty kill was so good tonight,” Maurice said. “Especially on the back-to-back, because we're aggressive with it now, and you worry that on that second night, that you'll be a half step off, right? We had lots of opportunities to practice it tonight and we were really, really good with it.”
A focused group
Florida came into the road trip with a mentality of treating each game like they were in the playoffs.
The team has remained focused through the first two games despite the potential for several distractions, the majority of which have been related to physical play.
Regardless of what has happened with penalties or game flow, the Panthers have maintained a steady approach and continued to impose their style of play.
It resulted in a dominant win in Ottawa and a strong effort in a shootout loss to Toronto.
“We weren't perfect, don't get me wrong, but I liked the way we played,” Maurice said Tuesday. “I liked the fact we never lost our composure with everything that happened on the ice. It wasn't mean or nasty, it was a light game, but just going back into the box all the time at critical moments, the bench never…the coach was a little sour back there, but the players were good. The players handled it better than the coach.”
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