Panthers drop second straight game on home ice, blanked by Hellebuyck, Jets
Florida has lost consecutive games for the first time since the opening two games of the season
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports - Panthers drop second straight game on home ice, blanked by Hellebuyck, JetsPerhaps it was due to having a bit too much turkey on Thanksgiving, but the Florida Panthers looked a step slow on Friday when they hosted the Winnipeg Jets.
Unable to generate or sustain much in terms of offensive pressure, Florida lost on home ice 3-0 to the visiting Jets.
An uneventful first period ended with a late goal and momentum boost for Winnipeg.
A point shot from Dylan Samberg seemed to confound Bobrovsky, and when the puck squeaked through the veteran goaltender, Nino Neiderreiter was there to poke it home, giving Winnipeg a 1-0 lead.
Florida’s best chance of the opening period came during the final minute when Eetu Luostarinen was given on a shorthanded breakaway.
The puck went off the end of Eetu’s stick and went well wide of the net. Moments later, the first period ended with the Jets holding a one-goal advantage.
By the time the game went to the second intermission, both teams were playing very physical brands of hockey, but the scoring chances either way were few and far between.
Florida put on pressure during the first half of the third period but their efforts were stymied by Nikolaj Ehlers, who danced around Uvis Balinskis and put a shot high blocker on Bobrovsky to put Florida behind by two with under nine minutes to go.
Perhaps in a move indicative of how difficult it had been for the Panthers to generate offense, Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice pulled Bobrovsky with just under five minutes to go.
Adam Lowry would score into the empty net with 3:49 on the clock to ice the game, sending the Panthers to their second straight loss.
Here are some thoughts and observations from Friday’s tilt with Winnipeg:
Florida’s power play woes continued, going 0-for-2 against the Jets.
To his credit, Bobrovsky came up with several difficult saves while keeping the Panthers in a tight game for much of the night.
Across the ice, Connor Hellebuyck picked up his first shutout of the season and 33rd of his career. He stopped all six high danger shots Florida sent his way.
For the second straight game, Sam Reinhart did not stand out for any of the reasons he’d been commended for much of his play this season.
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