Panthers captain Sasha Barkov speaks after Florida's 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Dec. 23. It’s been a fun season for the Florida Panthers so far, as Sasha Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and co. work to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. As the Cats head into the NHL’s annual holiday break, they hold a solid 22-12-2 record, good for first place in the Atlantic Division. That’s impressive for several reasons. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Key players like Barkov and Tkachuk have missed time, but both are still averaging well over a point per game – Barkov is at 1.26 while Tkachuk puts up 1.12. And for those wondering, Sam Reinhart, who leads the team with 22 goals and 45 points, averages 1.25 points per game. Florida’s strong start to the season is also notable because they have had to endure one of the more grueling and wonky travel schedules seen in recent memory. It’s not just that they’ve had to travel more miles than any other NHL team so far this season, it’s the order in which some of these trips have come. Returning home from a road trip to play a single home game, only to head right back out on the road again? It’s happened more than once, and don’t get me started on all the back-to-back sets Florida has had and will have to endure. Another reason to tip your cap at the Cats’ start is that they’ve done it without getting consistent goaltending from either of their tendies. Statistically, both Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight’s numbers leave something to be desired. Record-wise, they’re fine, but analytically there are certainly some blemishes that grab your attention. Consistency has been a problem for both, as they have each enjoyed some high highs this season while enduring some low lows. Bobrovsky’s December is a perfect example. He has a 5-2-0 record this month. In four of his seven starts, Bob allowed only a single goal in each. The other three games he let up a total of 12 goals on just 87 shots. Bobrovsky has always been the kind of goalie who gets better as the season progresses, with his best performances as a Panther coming during the postseason. Even with his age – Bobrovsky turned 36 during training camp – there is no reason to think the hard-working, experienced goaltender will not show up the way he has in each of the past several postseasons for the Cats. Knight, on the other hand, is still extremely young and could end up being everything Florida hopes he can be and more, but it’s going to take some time and experience. That’s just how it works with goaltenders. Is it reasonable to expect both will trend upwards as the season progresses? Absolutely. So yeah, there has been plenty of adversity for the defending Stanley Cup champs during the first half of their season. Fortunately for the Cats and their fans, this team is built for the hard times. The roster is deep and full of mentally tough players who understand the assignment and are willing to put in the incredible amount of hard work it takes to succeed while playing the style and systems that Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice asks of his players. So as we head into the holiday break, keep this thought in mind: In 31 seasons of Florida Panthers hockey, this is the first time they have been Stanley Cup Champions during the holidays. A little icing on that cake? They’re also still in first place and among the teams considered Stanley Cup contenders and, dare I say, favorites. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Go Panthers! LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Three takeaways: Value in Tkachuk's quick return, new forwards built for Panthers hockey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-value-in-tkachuks-quick-return-new-forwards-built-for-panthers-hockey] Panthers blanked by Johansson, Lightning in final game before holiday break [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-blanked-by-johansson-lightning-in-final-game-before-holiday-break] Matthew Tkachuk leaves game after hit on knee by Nikita Kucherov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-leaves-game-after-hit-on-knee-by-nikita-kucherov] Panthers specials teams clinic propels them to 4-2 win over Tampa Bay [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-specials-teams-clinic-propels-them-to-4-2-win-over-tampa-bay] Panthers in Tampa to kick off holiday home and home with rival Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-in-tampa-to-kick-off-holiday-home-and-home-with-rival-lightning] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
