Panthers forward Sam Bennet speaks after Florida's 3-0 win over Los Angeles on Jan. 29. When the Florida Panthers and Los Angeles Kings get together, it usually feels like a playoff game. Wednesday night at Amerant Bank Arena was no different. For the second time in as many weeks, Florida and Los Angeles went into the third period with the Panthers holding a slim 1-0 lead. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Unlike last week in L.A., this time the Cats were able to not only maintain their advantage, but build on it, skating to a 3-0 victory over the Kings. As with almost any shutout victory, there was plenty to be happy about in Pantherland following the win. Let’s get into the takeaways: SOLID THIRD PERIOD Over the past few seasons, the Panthers have been one of the best teams in hockey when it comes to holding leads. Generally, if Florida took a lead into the final frame, it was basically game over. This season it’s been a little different, with the Panthers dropping a pair of games this month when they were leading after two: last week in L.A. and on Jan. 13 in Philadelphia. Is the sudden change in lead-holding ability a cause for concern? Not quite yet, but the strong third period Florida just turned in against the Kings was a nice reminder of how good they can be with a late lead, especially when comparing it to their third last week against the Kings. “So we played a really strong first two periods in (Los Angeles), and then I think we felt a little bit of the back-to-back,” Maurice said. “Our forecheck was good. They're going to put a push on and put some pucks to the net, but we spent far more time in there end than we did in our last third period against them.” DEFENSIVE WIN The Panthers and Kings are both defensive-minded teams. They want to play tight, physical, low-scoring games. That’s how Wednesday’s game felt basically from start to finish, aside from the four power plays handed out during the penalty-filled first period. It worked out quite well for the Panthers and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, as Florida appeared to embody hard-working defenseman Dmitry Kulikov on the night he played in his 1,000th NHL game. “Everybody tried to play like Kuli tonight, play hard and do the hard things and battle along the walls and get pucks out and block shots,” Maurice said. “That's one of our best shot-blocking nights of the year. So we did (play like Kulikov), I believe that that's what happened here tonight, that the guys really wanted to show that respect to him for what he's done for us.” SECOND LINE SHOWING OUT The level of consistency coming from rookie Mackie Samoskevich over the past couple months has been apparent, and he’s still getting better. When Maurice moved Samoskevich up to Florida’s second line with Sam Bennett, the chemistry between the two was showing almost immediately. Now, with the lines taking on more of a traditional look, Maurice decided to keep Samoskevich in the top six, moving him to the left side and slotting Matthew Tkachuk back on Bennett’s right, where he’s spent much of his tree seasons in Florida. The trio combined for two goals and two assists on 16 shots and a plus-5 rating against the Kings, and afterwards, Maurice had lots of positive feedback when asked about them. “They were really good tonight, and they have been” Maurice said. “The Samoskevich-Bennett connection there looks strong. We put Mackey on the left-wing last year to start, and he just wasn't where he is now. He's made incredible improvements, so playing the left wing for him looked completely natural tonight. I really like Matthew (Tkachuk) on the right with Sam Bennett, so there's something there. There's some speed there, some nice little hand plays. Certainly, Matthew can create an awful lot, but the speed between Bennett and Samoskevich is strong. 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