Panthers captain Sasha Barkov speaks to the media following Florida's 4-1 win at Mullett Arena in Arizona on Jan. 2. It’s hard not to feel good about a fifth consecutive win, but the Florida Panthers had some extra reasons to hold their collective heads up high following Tuesday’s 4-1 victory in Arizona. Not only did Florida start a long and challenging road trip with a big two points, but they did it while showing discipline and playing a smart, responsible game. There were a few moments where it could’ve been easy for the Cats to fall into some old, bad habits, but instead they displayed a mental toughness and remained steadfast in the style and system they’ve been attempting to work to perfection. That leads us right into takeaway number one… Sticking with the plan The Panthers have experienced games that started similarly to how things were going early on Tuesday in Arizona. Florida has come out and been the better team on most nights, outshooting, out-chancing, and out-possessing their opponents, but some games they might run into a hot goalie or just have the bounces go the other way. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Tuesday’s matchup with the Coyotes was starting to feel like one of those nights, but instead of the Panthers opening up their game and trying to force the issue, the Cats stayed cool and continued to play their way. Ultimately, it paid off. “I liked the composure in our game, I felt it was similar to the Montreal game,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said after Tuesday win. “The other team was defending pretty hard, and it was a tight game, and I didn't feel we were trying to break anything loose or come out of it, and that was true even when they scored. Shorthanded goals against can hurt you, and they didn't let it. The bench was fine. They kept plugging.” Forsling’s karmic ending One of the biggest moments in Tuesday’s game came during the final minute of the second period. Coyotes forward Jason Zucker took a run at Nick Cousins following a hit by Cousins on the Yotes’ Juuso Valimaki. Several seconds after Cousins’ hit and with the puck nowhere nearby, Zucker took several strides before slamming right into the back of the unsuspecting Cousins, who crumbled to the ice in pain. Panthers defenseman Gus Forsling was on the ice and immediately went after Zucker, dropping the gloves and doing everything he could to stand up for his teammate. “When something like that happens, it's tough as a teammate to watch, so he was all over it,” Maurice said of Forsling. The fight was actually the first of Forsling’s NHL career, as were the instigator and misconduct penalties that came with it. Forsling ended up getting 17 penalty minutes and sat in the penalty box until there were around four minutes to go in the game. With plenty of energy, Forsling played two shifts over the game’s final 3:02 and was out there when Arizona pulled its goaltender. All felt right in the universe when Forsling went hard into a corner in Florida’s defensive end, came away with the puck and flung it 200 feet down the ice…directly into the Coyotes’ empty net. “He was fresh, so he got double shifted,” Maurice said with a smile. “Good for him.” “Well deserved,” added Sam Reinhart. “Certainly some karma there.” Barkov and Reinhart Florida’s top line continues to be a model for consistency in terms of possession and production, and it’s been Panthers captain Sasha Barkov and winger Sam Reinhart leading the way. Reinhart’s game-winning goal on Tuesday was his 24th tally on the season and seventh over his past seven games, while Barkov’s assist on Reinhart’s goal was his ninth helper over that same seven-game span. The pair have been incredibly effective when on the ice together, but Maurice has been particularly impressed with how Barkov has been driving the play. “His ability to get into holes and create things, I think he and especially Sam, their timing off each other has been good,” Maurice said. “They're both playing as fast as I've ever seen them, and (Barkov) is such a big man when he gets going with a head of speed, he’s so powerful, he’s just hard to stop.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Sasha Barkov claims Panthers all-time record with career assist No. 416 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sasha-barkov-claims-panthers-all-time-record-with-career-assist-no-416] Panthers finish strong in Arizona, take down Coyotes 4-1 to extend winning streak [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-finish-strong-in-arizona-take-down-coyotes-4-1-to-extend-winning-streak] Oliver Ekman-Larsson reflects on time with Coyotes ahead of first game at Mullett Arena [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/oliver-ekman-larsson-reflects-on-time-with-coyotes-ahead-of-first-game-at-mullett-arena] Challenging road trip beings with Panthers in Arizona to face surprising Coyotes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/challenging-road-trip-beings-with-panthers-in-arizona-to-face-surprising-coyotes] Panthers embark on extended road trip, embrace facing playoff-caliber opponents [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-embark-on-extended-road-trip-embrace-facing-playoff-caliber-opponents] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
