Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues speaks after Florida's 7-5 win in Philadelphia on Dec. 5. The Florida Panthers are heading home after a challenging two-game road trip. Playing the two Pennsylvania hockey teams in a three-night span is going to be tough for most teams. Despite having to go without their starting goaltender, Florida held their own and heads back to Sunrise with three of a possible four points after picking up a 7-5 win Thursday night in Philadelphia. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Florida will certainly take the points, but there will be a lot for them to review and remedy when looking at the tape from the past couple outings. Here are the takeaways from Thursday’s win: NOT THE WAY IT WAS DRAWN UP Florida Head Coach Paul Maurice and his staff surely had a game plan for how they wanted the Panthers to perform in Philly. It’s doubtful that’s what we saw play out on the ice. The game started out well enough, with Florida jumping out to a 3-0 lead by the three-minute mark of the second period, but as sure as they cherish their cheesesteaks in Philly, the Flyers came storming back. You have to hand it to the Panthers. It’s not often you can see a team earn a comeback win in the same game they held 3-0 and 4-2 leads. While coming away with the two points is all that matters at the end of the day, this isn’t a game that Maurice will be cueing up the tape for any good reasons. “We hope it's unique,” Maurice said. “You wouldn't want to see that ever again.” POWER PLAY THRIVING Florida scored four power play goals on Thursday night against the Flyers’ third-ranked penalty kill. Their 4-for-5 outing was just the latest in a string of strong power play performances. Over the Cats’ 4-0-1 run, their power play has gone an impressive 10-for-19. “The power play was wired,” Maurice said. “It’s been great for a while now. I don’t like winning hockey games on our power play. We did tonight.” NO INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE The vibes weren’t particularly great after the second period around the Panthers. Florida had just surrendered a 4-2 lead with a pair of quick goals by Owen Tippett and suddenly, a very advantageous situation had become an uneasy one. While some might think that the intermission would be a great time for Maurice to storm into the locker room and rip his team a new one, he decided to go a different route. Maurice has often spoken about how much of a veteran group he has, and how his likes when he can step back and let the bench run itself. Well, tonight was one of those nights, and it’s probably a good thing. “I didn't go in after the second because I love these guys, and there wouldn't have been anything but vile, evil thoughts and words,” Maurice said. “Sometimes you need to just shut up and not go in the room. Tonight was the perfect time for that.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Tkachuk, Reinhart shine as Panthers win wild game in Philadelphia [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/tkachuk-reinhart-shine-as-panthers-win-wild-game-in-philadelphia] Panthers wrap up quick road trip in Philly against surging Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-wrap-up-quick-road-trip-in-philly-against-surging-flyers] Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, Niko Mikkola join Sasha Barkov on Finland 4 Nations roster [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/anton-lundell-eetu-luostarinen-niko-mikkola-join-sasha-barkov-on-finland-4-nations-roster] Three takeaways: Odd game for Panthers, Knight struggles in Pittsburgh [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-odd-game-for-panthers-knight-struggles-in-pittsburgh] Comeback Cats force overtime in Pittsburgh, fall 5-4 to Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/comeback-cats-force-overtime-in-pittsburgh-fall-5-4-to-penguins] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
