Panthers forward Sam Reinhart speaks after Florida's 4-3 loss in Philadelphia on Jan. 13. It’s been a rough couple weeks for the Florida Panthers. The team has been maneuvering through several players dealing with a combination of injuries and illnesses while enduring their frustratingly usual, demanding travel schedule. That has unfortunately brought the Panthers into a challenging stretch that has seen them drop six of their past nine games. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Monday night in Philadelphia things appeared to be going Florida’s way early, with the Cats taking a 2-0 first period lead and looking much like their usual, fast and physical selves. If only things had stayed that way. Let’s get to Monday’s takeaways: POOR MIDDLE FRAME After playing a very strong first period, leading the host Flyers 2-0, Florida fell flat when they came out for the second. The Cats were outshot 14-6 and didn’t control much of the puck, giving Philly a chance to gain all the momentum and carry it with them into the third period. It just goes to show the importance of keeping your foot on the gas. Allowing a young team like Philadelphia to build on their confidence as the game progresses is a recipe for disaster, and we saw how things played out on Monday for the Panthers after doing just that. “I thought we had more turnovers than shots on goal in the second period, and then you lose the flow of the game,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “They looked like they were skating faster, we look like we were slower. I don't know that either is true, we created that event.” TOO MANY PENALTIES The Panthers have got to stay out of the penalty box. It’s really that simple. Over their past two games, both losses, Florida has taken 14 minor penalties. The Bruins on Saturday and the Flyers on Monday each went 2-for-5 on the power play, taking advantage of their opportunities while eating away valuable game time. “Just stay out of the f***ing penalty box,” Maurice said. “If we get to 18 (minor penalties) in three games, we deserve what we get. I don’t understand half the calls, but that’s okay. I don’t get paid to understand that, I’m still trying to figure out my team.” SAMSON REINHART APPRECIATION Panthers forward Sam Reinhart is having one hell of a season. The 29-year-old fresh off last season’s 57-goal, 94-point campaign is showing the world that his ascending play over the past few seasons has been no fluke. Through 44 games, Reinhart is now up to 27 goals and 51 points. He’s scored five goals over his past three games, and his defensive play is just as good as what he can do on offense. “He had a two-week block, maybe less than that, when he got sick this year, and other than that he’s been flat out great every night,” Maurice said, quickly adding, “And thank God for it.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Quick road back-to-back ends with tough challenge in New Jersey [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/quick-road-back-to-back-ends-with-tough-challenge-in-new-jersey] Florida squanders pair of third period leads, fall in Philly 4-3 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/florida-squanders-pair-of-third-period-leads-fall-in-philly-4-3] Panthers kick off latest road trip in Philly against struggling Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-kick-off-latest-road-trip-in-philly-against-struggling-flyers] Three takeaways: Panthers deserved better against Boston, can find positives in OT loss [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-panthers-deserved-better-against-boston-can-find-positives-in-ot-loss] Reinhart scores twice, Bruins win on last second OT goal [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/reinhart-scores-twice-bruins-win-on-last-second-goal-in-ot-panthers-lose-4-3] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
