Florida has played some excellent hockey at 5-on-5 while keeping pace on special teams
The Florida Panthers have prided themselves on playing a style of hockey that can succeed under nearly any circumstance.
It’s what helped them become one of the NHL’s very best road teams over the past year.
Florida ended the regular season tied with the Dallas Stars for most victories on the road, and the success has continued during the playoffs.
Just as it was before the postseason, the Panthers and Stars are tied for the most road wins during the playoffs, each with identical 6-2 records through their first eight games away from home.
Of course, now Florida will be looking for a big win on home ice to punch their second straight ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.
Before we move on to that, here are the takeaways from Game 5 in New York:
Controlling play at 5-on-5
As the Eastern Conference Finals have progressed, both the Panthers and Rangers have had varying degrees of success on special teams.
It’s when the game has remained at even strength that Florida has been able to maintain extended periods of imposing their style and limiting shots and chances for the Rangers.
When adding to the equation that the Panthers are getting better production on special teams as well, which is an area that the Rangers were expected to shine heading into the series, it just paints more of a Florida-colored picture when looking at the series as a whole.
“I think that’s our foundation and the style we want to play, defense first,” said Panthers captain Sasha Barkov. “Obviously we want to have tight gaps and all that kind of stuff, but it’s all about hard work and going on the ice and playing as hard as possible, knowing the guy next to you is going to do the same. We just believe in each other.”
Forsling continues to shine
As the playoffs have progressed, there seems to be a growing appreciation for Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling.
His defensive play has been spectacular, though not in much of a flashy way.
Forsling’s ability to provide consistent, high-end defense is starting to get noticed by people outside of South Florida.
Following Game 5, Forling is up to four goals and 11 points during Florida’s playoff run.
“Gustav Forsling, for me, in his style is the best defenseman in the world,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “The offense, if it grows or stays where it is or even stagnates slightly, it won’t change my opinion of him. He’s almost been a late bloomer in all the things that he does. He takes care of Job 1 before he tries to look at Job 2. It’s just winning for him, but that man gets up the ice. And now he’s got some confidence.”
One win away
The Panthers will fly home on Friday in a pretty good spot.
Their hard-earned 3-2 victory in Game 5 on Thursday in New York placed the Cats a single victory away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year.
Don’t think the Panthers are going to allow the situation, or anything that comes with it, become a distraction.
“I don't think we've thought about it at all,” said Panthers forward Sam Bennett. “Our approach is one game at a time. We’ve got business to take care of still. All we're thinking about is Game 6 at home. Our entire focus is on that game right now.”
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