Florida has been one of the NHL's best road teams, regular season or playoffs, over past year-plus

The Florida Panthers were one of the best road teams in the NHL this season.

They finished the regular season tied with the Dallas Stars for most victories when playing away from home with 26.

It's a continuation of something that began developing late last season, when the Panthers were scratching and clawing just to qualify for the playoffs.

Florida finished with wins in six of their final eight road games last season, made the playoffs as the final Wild Card and went on to reach the Stanley Cup Final thanks to an 8-1 road record against their three Eastern Conference opponents: Boston, Toronto and Carolina.

This year, Florida has won three of its four playoff road games so far.

"I think we're a good road team because the game that we play doesn't really change much," Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said Wednesday. "Our numbers at home are pretty darn good, too, but the unusual part is that our road numbers are as good as our home numbers. There's not much difference in our game."

Actually, one could make the argument that the Panthers perform better when playing away from home, or at least come up with better results.

Florida scored 127 goals during its 41 home games, an average of 3.09, and its goal differential at home games this season was plus-22.

On the road, Florida scored 138 goals, an average of 3.36, and finished with a road goal differential of plus-45.

But what about the playoffs?

At home, Florida has scored 20 goals over six games, an average of 3.33, with a goal differential of plus-seven.

During road outings, Florida has scored 17 goals in four games, an average of 4.25, with a goal differential of plus-four.

As Maurice explained, it's really as simple as the Panthers looking to play the same game, the same style, night in and night out, regardless of who or where they're playing.

"So there are teams where the matchup game is critically important," Maurice said. "If they can get one of their elite players out – and then there's also in some ways kind of a flow-rest game, like if they're feeling good, they're snapping it around, they're dynamic off the rush, they're sharp – you hear those coaches talking about how good their execution was that game, they were moving the puck well. I don't talk a whole lot about it because it's not really what our strength is. So whether we feel good or we don't, or we're at home or we're not, we most nights compete real darn hard, and that gives you a chance to win at home and on the road."

We'll see if the Panthers can keep the good times rolling while away from home and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season.

Game 6 from Boston is set for Friday night, though the NHL has yet to announce a start time. 

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