The Panthers traded in their work boots for tap dancing shoes on Wednesday night, and in the process, missed an opportunity to sweep the Toronto Maple Leafs and move into Round 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The work boots analogy points to Florida’s newfound style of play; one that’s hard-nosed and relies on a heavy forecheck and relentless pursuit of the puck. It’s been the bread and butter that has helped power them into the position they are in right now.
The tap shoes refers to Florida’s former self. This was the team that had little cohesion, danced around the offensive zone getting too “cute… with passing that ultimately led to a multitude of missed opportunities and disappointing outcomes.
That’s the Panthers team that played in Game 4.
Don’t minimize Toronto’s effort. They looked much better than the previous three games, but they were still beatable and that’s why this loss a tough one.
Not only that but they wasted a stellar performance from Bob — who made incredible saves all night and had no goal support to show for it.
What made this loss especially frustrating for Panthers fans was that it was to an unproven, rookie goalie. While I never want to be the cliche “SHOOT IT!… guy, I found myself doing just that all night.
I can’t remember a playoff game where guys had so many prime opportunities to rip the puck on net, only to pass it, bobble it, or have it stolen away trying to force it to a teammate through a wall of defenders. Often times all three outcomes happened together and many of the shots they got through to Woll were relatively easy saves for the young goaltender.
They really haven’t tested this guy the way they should be and that’s what’s bothersome!
The hockey side of you says it was just an off night and those things happen. The Florida Panthers fan in you wonders if this is the beginning of the end for their postseason lives.
I believe Game 5 will be a real indicator of the above. Either it was truly an off night and the Panthers close this thing out tonight, or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde have returned…
My gut (heart) tells me there’s something special with this group and they will find success. There have been too many instances of them not quitting/going away quietly while on this run. So we can’t really doubt them. Despite not being crisp in Game 4, they were still in it and only lost by a 2-1 margin.
Let’s get back to dictating the pace, forechecking hard, and getting the Leafs on their heels. But most of all…please, please, make Woll’s night uncomfortable. Get those pucks on net with traffic in front. Do not let this guy settle in and give his team and the fans energy.
If the scrum after the final horn the other night is an indicator of anything, tonight should be a great Game 5 in a raucous barn… __________________________
Time to get the claws out, battle, and finish this thing! GO PANTHERS!
Close it out.#TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/pCe9J622hZ
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) May 12, 2023