Grand opening of Baptist Health IcePlex held on March 20. The Florida Panthers were hoping a nice, four-day break between games would be just what they needed to snap back into form. They were wrong. Florida was out-hustled and out-muscled for much of the night, dropping a frustrating battle to the red-hot Nashville Predators 3-0. It’s the second time the Panthers have be shutout over their current three-game losing streak. The story of the game in the opening period was Sergei Bobrovsky’s spectacular play keeping the Florida in the game. A late goal by Gustav Nyquist put the Predators on the scoreboard first, but the game could’ve gotten out of hand early if not for Bob’s brilliance. Instead, Florida’s defeat was a slow and painful process. Florida was outshot 13-5 during the opening frame, with four of Nashville’s shots considered high danger and their expected goals was 1.51, according to Natural Stat Trick. Nashville eventually extended its lead to 2-0 on a power play goal by Filip Forsberg. The deflection goal was initially waived off before being ruled a goal on the ice, reviewed and upheld. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] An excellent game in goal by Preds goalie Kevin Lankinen would keep the Cats off the board and frustrated all night, and a late goal by Forsberg would cement the victory for the visitors. Coming up for Florida is a road back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday against the Rangers and Flyers. Here are some thoughts and observations from Thursday’s tilt with the Preds: Florida went 0-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. Final shot attempts were 63-62 in favor of Florida while shots on goal were 37-33 Nashville. Lankinen finished with 33 saves for his first shutout of the season. Florida got off only three high danger shots, though their expected goals still was 2.82. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers have the edge when it comes to strength of schedule over the Bruins according to Tankathon with about a month remaining in the regular season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-have-the-edge-when-it-comes-to-strength-of-schedule-over-the-bruins-according-to-tankathon-with-about-a-month-remaining-in-the-regular-season] With Panthers having a “White Out” Thursday night, here is a look at some of the best fan gameday promotions in sports [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/with-panthers-having-a-white-out-thursday-night-here-is-a-look-at-some-of-the-best-fan-gameday-promotions-in-sports] Panthers making at least one lineup change ahead of Nashville game, Matthew Tkachuk 'good to go' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-making-at-least-one-lineup-change-ahead-of-nashville-game-matthew-tkachuk-good-to-go] Panthers return to action with matchup against streaking Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-return-to-action-with-matchup-against-streaking-predators] Florida Panthers open Baptist Health Iceplex to the public [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-open-baptist-health-iceplex-to-the-public-today] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
