Gustav Forsling scored after signing his extension while the Flyers gave the Panthers a solid test in a low-scoring affair

After the Florida Panthers lost to the Philadelphia Flyers at home on Feb. 6, they would go on to win their next six at Amerant Bank Arena. Their winning streak would come to an end against these same Flyers Thursday night.

In an 82-game season, there are those select teams that just match well against another. That has been the case for the Flyers against the Panthers this season, even with one left in the season series, which will be played on Mar. 24 at the Wells Fargo Center.

A game that was scoreless through the first and with the Panthers responding to the Flyers first score just seven minutes after, there would not be another lead change until just over 21 seconds left in the third period. Garnet Hathaway scored on a second chance opportunity to give the Flyers the two points in regulation.

Although the Florida Panthers lost the season series against the Philadelphia Flyers after their 2-1 loss on Thursday, Florida took a lot of good out of the night.

Here are the takeaways:

Philadelphia provided a great test for the Panthers

Regardless of everything that the Flyers are going through in their attempts to rebuild their franchise through the draft, they still find themselves in third place in the Metropolitan division with 18 games to go.

A coach who has a Stanley Cup to his name in John Tortorella and with new general manager Daniel Briere, their mission to identify talent while trying to stack assets seems to be working. The Flyers have lived up to the “Philly tough” mentality, and it showed in multiple games against the Panthers with two low-scoring games. This is something that Florida is used to, despite coming up on the losing end both times.

“We knew going in that it was not going to be easy for us,” Paul Maurice said. “It didn’t look like we had a lot in the tank and they played hard, and I think we kind of matched that, it was even. We would like to be better than even at home They get a break at the end that we hadn’t earlier. So get some rest and come back for the next one.”

If the season were to end on Thursday, the latest a meeting between the Flyers and the Panthers would be in the Eastern Conference Final. However, it was a type of game that could set up Florida well once they reach the postseason in April base on play style.

“You don’t get a lot of ice out there, so you got to be quick and they did a good job.” Gustav Forsling added. “It’s perfect practice for us and we’re going to build on this.”

Forsling showed no signs of slowing down fresh off his extension

The 27-year old defenseman who was claimed off of waivers prior to the 2021 season has had a chip on his shoulder since the moment he was drafted back in 2014 in the fifth round by Vancouver.

After spending time in organizations like Chicago and Carolina, Forsling can call South Florida home for the next eight seasons.

Although it’s one game after signing the extension, it’s best believed that he will still play with that chip.

“He works hard at it,” Maurice said. “He’s in the video room, he does the work to get better. He’s just a great pro. I think there are lots of talented athletes in pro sports that are gifted and reach a certain level and stay there and it’s fine because they’re as good as they need to be. [Forsling] will be as good as he possibly can be by the time he’s done.”

From having different addresses to a top defenseman, Forsling has been solid for the Panthers blue line throughout his time in Sunrise. It has continued with his league leading plus-minus of plus-44 through 63 games.

“You love the idea of late bloomers who had to believe in themselves possibly at times when nobody else did.” Maurice added. “Then you find the place that does and to be given the opportunity to not just to become a pro and then realize that will be your career. That’s a good story for sure.”

After a loud ovation on Thursday from the crowd as he was introduced in the starting lineup, he also provided the Panthers with the game-tying goal midway through the second period. That would be the Florida’s only goal of the night in their loss to Philadelphia.

Tarasenko left a strong impression in his debut

There was another loud ovation when the starting lineups were announced as newly acquired Panther Vladimir Tarasenko and resident of Weston, Florida made his Panthers debut. 

Playing on Aleksander Barkov’s wing, Tarasenko will have time to build up the chemistry with the captain before the Panthers attempt to make it back to the Stanley Cup Final.

As far as his impression to the team, he seemed to have been well received in game number one in Florida.

“Everybody knows what he’s done in the past,” forward Anton Lundell said.”It’s fun to see a guy who wants to come here. So we’ll try to help him every way we can. This is where the building starts.”

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Three takeaways: Forward depth, strong third periods help propel Panthers to victory