Panthers captain Sasha Barkov speaks after Florida's 3-2 shooout win over Detroit on March 30. The Florida Panthers had a sloppy start to the game on Saturday against Detroit. Florida took two penalties in the first period, with one resulting in a powerplay goal for Robby Fabbri making it 1-0 Red Wings at the end of the first. However, the Panthers play improved drastically after the first period and captain Sasha Barkov had this to say post game to Bally Sports reporter Katie Engleson "The first period wasn't that good, and we got yelled at in the locker room," Barkov said. "Then we got better." Seems like Coach Paul Maurice let his team have it during the first intermission, and it worked. The Panthers outshot the Red Wings the rest of the game 28-14. Barkov added two third period goals himself and the Panthers were able to pick up a key two points in the shootout win over Detroit. Maurice was none too happy after the loss on Thursday to the Islanders, despite clinching a playoff spot and that dissatisfaction with this teams play seemed to carry over to the first period. That all changed, after this apparent first intermission callout as the Panthers dominated the rest of the game. When asked about what had been said between periods Maurice downplayed his messaging. "If it was a really good message, I can't remember it," Maurice said. "I don't think it was that special. I've had much better ones." Despite Maurice clearly underselling what occurred in the dressing room, it clearly had an impact on the teams play. If not for a few big saves from Ex-Panther Alex Lyon, this likely would have been a Panthers regulation win. "It was a tight game and it's pretty easy to get frustrated especially with this little spurt we've been on" said team leading scorer Sam Reinhart. "I think we did a good job of staying composed, certainly not a good job of staying out of the box, but we found a way and that's important tonight". With the win Saturday, the Panthers moved into a tie with Boston for first place in the Atlantic division. So, if what it takes is a tongue lashing by Maurice between periods to get this team going, then he might have to keeping doing it. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers prospect Jack Devine fights for spot in Frozen Four Saturday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-prospect-jack-devine-fights-for-spot-in-frozen-four-saturday] The Hockey Show: Panthers clinch for 5th straight year, Patrick Williams talks all things AHL [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-panthers-clinch-for-5th-straight-year-patrick-williams-talks-all-things-ahl] One year anniversary of Paul Maurice’s bench tirade in Toronto [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/one-year-anniversary-of-paul-maurices-bench-tirade-in-toronto] Three takeaways: Netfront presence lacking, penalty minutes a problem [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-netfront-presence-lacking-penalty-minutes-a-problem] Florida Panthers clinch spot in 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-clinch-spot-in-2024-stanley-cup-playoffs]
