Florida ranks second in the NHL in both fewest goals against and fewest shots against
Florida ranks second in the NHL in both fewest goals against and fewest shots against
There is no denying the talent that has been compiled on the Florida Panthers roster.
Panthers General Manager Bill Zito and his front office staff have done an excellent job over the past three-and-a-half years building a team that is chock-full of players who hold the coveted combination of skill and personality.
They’re great on the ice and just as good, if not better, off the ice.
That’s why when Florida hired Paul Maurice during the summer of 2022, there wasn’t much concern that the team wouldn’t be able to adapt to the difference in what Maurice would be asking of them.
The Panthers went from a high-flying, end-to-end, always try to hold the puck, we’re going to outscore you kind of team to one that basically looks to grind down the opponent with fast paced, tight checking hockey that relies on the players’ skills to take advantage of opportunities that Maurice’s systems create.
“That’s what makes a playoff team,” said Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz. “Guys that are willing to sell out and commit to both ends of the ice.”
It’s that postseason mentality which has turned the Panthers into one of the best defensive teams in the NHL.
Entering play Sunday, Florida gives up the second-fewest goals per game in the league, allowing just 2.40 (behind only Winnipeg at 2.35).
They also allow the second-fewest shots against per game in the league at 27.6, trailing only Carolina’s 25.3.
But wait, there’s more.
The Panthers have not allowed more than two goals in any game since Jan. 22, a span of 13 games.
Florida has gone 11-2-0 during those 13 outings.
“I think it starts with the goalies, and of course, our defense too,” Panthers defenseman Gus Forsling said while flashing a smile. “We have two really good goalies who are playing unreal for us right now.”
He’s not wrong.
Starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is having perhaps his best and most consistent regular season since joining the Panthers.
Entering play Sunday, Bobrovsky holds the third-most wins (28), while tied for third in goals against average (2.36) and tied for seventh in save percentage (.916) among goalies with at least 20 appearances this season.
Anthony Stolarz has made 18 appearances on the season and his numbers are even more impressive than Bob’s.
Stolarz is sporting a 10-5-2 record while boasting a 1.97 goals against average and .925 save percentage.
Those numbers would rank him first in goals against average and second in save percentage if he had two more appearances.
“When you look at the way we play, we like to play a defensive structure,” said Stolarz. “But with that in mind, Bobby and I know that you’ve got to make big saves.”
So lets review.
The Panthers are putting up excellent defensive numbers while becoming the league’s most proficient team in playing playoff hockey, and doing it all with what could end up as one of the best goalie tandems in franchise history.
At this point, it’s just a matter of seeing how things play out.
Stay tuned.
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