Florida has scored just three total goals over its past three games

The Florida Panthers were hoping a nice, four-day break between games would be just what they needed to snap back into form.

They were wrong.

Florida was out-hustled and out-muscled for much of the night, dropping a frustrating battle to the red-hot Nashville Predators 3-0.

It’s the second time the Panthers have be shutout over their current three-game losing streak.

The story of the game in the opening period was Sergei Bobrovsky’s spectacular play keeping the Florida in the game.

A late goal by Gustav Nyquist put the Predators on the scoreboard first, but the game could’ve gotten out of hand early if not for Bob’s brilliance.

Instead, Florida’s defeat was a slow and painful process.

Florida was outshot 13-5 during the opening frame, with four of Nashville’s shots considered high danger and their expected goals was 1.51, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Nashville eventually extended its lead to 2-0 on a power play goal by Filip Forsberg. The deflection goal was initially waived off before being ruled a goal on the ice, reviewed and upheld.

An excellent game in goal by Preds goalie Kevin Lankinen would keep the Cats off the board and frustrated all night, and a late goal by Forsberg would cement the victory for the visitors. 

Coming up for Florida is a road back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday against the Rangers and Flyers.

Here are some thoughts and observations from Thursday’s tilt with the Preds:

Florida went 0-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Final shot attempts were 63-62 in favor of Florida while shots on goal were 37-33 Nashville.

Lankinen finished with 33 saves for his first shutout of the season. Florida got off only three high danger shots, though their expected goals still was 2.82. 

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