Discussing The Hockey News' projection that the 2023-24 Florida Panthers will finish third in the Atlantic Division. Rankings calculated by KEVIN, a predictive learning model created by The Hockey News' Rachel Doerrie [https://thehockeynews.com/betting/learn-to-bet/beating-the-books-how-deep-learning-can-improve-your-nhl-bets], have the Florida Panthers finishing third in the Atlantic Division. Here is how KEVIN saw the division shaking out: 1. Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/breaking-news/toronto-maple-leafs-2023-24-projection-three-keys-to-the-season-and-worst-case-scenario] 2. Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/analysis/boston-bruins-2023-24-projection-three-keys-to-the-season-and-worst-case-scenario] 3. Florida Panthers 4. Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/news/2023-24-tampa-bay-lightning-projections-three-keys-to-success-worst-case-scenario] 5. Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/news/buffalo-sabres-2023-24-projections] 6. Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/features/ottawa-senators-2023-24-projection-three-keys-to-the-season-and-worst-case-scenario] 7. Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/detroit-red-wings-2023-24-projection-three-keys-to-the-season-and-worst-case-scenario] 8. Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/analysis/montreal-canadiens-2023-24-projection-three-keys-to-the-season-and-worst-case-scenario] As the Panthers proved last season, it's not about where you're positioned in the playoffs, it just matters how you play once you get there. Florida is a team that is built to perform well during the postseason, a time when checking gets tighter, scoring drops and clutch players shine their brightest. Last year: 42-32-8, 4th in the Atlantic (lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Vegas Golden Knights) Keys to the Season 1. Forward depth is a major strength: When healthy, the Panthers are going to boast one of the deepest forward groups in the NHL. Florida’s expected third line is going to be the wild card, with ascending youngsters Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen expected to take the next steps in their respective careers. 2. Goaltending keeps the ship steady: One of the big reasons Florida was able to maintain such a consistent level of play during their playoff run was night in and night out, Sergei Bobrovsky was on top of his game. To expect Bobrovsky to show up during the regular season playing like that doesn’t seem reasonable, but there is something to be said about what newfound confidence can do to a veteran athlete. 3. Panthers survive first 30 games: Florida’s incredible playoff run nearly didn’t happen, as the team had to fight and claw their way into the playoffs during the final days of the season. Slow starts have been a constant over the years with the Panthers and this season there are built-in excuses ready and waiting. Between their deep forward ranks and solid goaltending, Florida should be able to mitigate the temporary losses of Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour remain one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Most-likely Scenario: Florida continues to play its imposing style of hockey and come at you in waves with their deep forward group. Even with average goaltending, this is a divisional playoff team. Worst-case Scenario: Injuries strike the forwards early in the year, giving Florida nothing to lean on while waiting for Ekblad and Montour, and Bobrovsky’s game falls off a cliff. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg]
