Quick one, boys...
As I watched the Blackhawks' playoff hopes die last night during Edmonton's epic second period collapse, where they allowed four goals in about seven minutes, I was reminded just how similar Chicago and Florida's season were this year.
Both orgain-I-zations (Canadian accent) saw multiple players have career years, yet, they wound up on the outside looking in.
Each club had their ups-and-downs in the blue paint due to injury to #1's Crawford and Lu.
But the most striking similarity was the defense. There's so much truth to the saying, "defenses win championships" and neither team had a championship caliber blueline.
However...
The advantage goes to the Hawks on this one. While Seabrook and Keith are aging and young guys like Forsling, etc. have their struggles; Connor Murphy has really come on and developed into a solid defender (IMO) and leader for the Windy City. His ilk should be what the Panthers look for in the offseason to help stabilize the backend. Is he a HoF guy? No. But he has a defense-first mindset that plays physical, works hard and can find the back of the net on occasion.
The other thing that gives Chicago a lead in this facet of the game is they don't instill a defensive scheme that encourages every defensemen to rush/jump up in every play - unlike Boughner's approach.
I'm really curious to see what each team does in that department this offseason...
The Panthers take today to get ready to face the Islanders tomorrow. I'd say it's a big test, but since there's no skin in the game at this point, I'm just hoping for a fun watch. If the Cats get the W, they'll help Washington clinch the Metropolitan Division - a team they beat on Monday night, despite giving up three goals in the third (ugh).
It would be nice to see Florida stretch the three-game win streak to four against a good team in the Islanders, but we'll see.
Not sure how you guys feel, but I've been kind of disappointed lately. Yes, the Panthers are winning, but why aren't we seeing Monty, Keeper and other young guns in?
I don't know...it feels like a "safe" move to finish the season out on a positive note. I get it, but, let's be honest, we're in garbage time. They're not going anywhere. Why play it safe? If there's ever a time to experiment and see what you've got, it's now.
Could be the front office saving face? Maybe Boughner trying to save his job? A combo of both? Something else? Who knows, but I wish they would get "risky" and roll out some different looks.
In other news, the Cats signed goalie Ryan Bednard to a two-year, entry-level contract that kicks in for the 2019-2020 season.
At 22, he just completed his junior year at Bowling Green State University with a 20-8-4 record, 1.77 goals against and a .927 save percentage. Pretty nasty numbers.
Tallon had this to say about the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Michigan native:
"Ryan is a big, athletic, young goaltender who had an excellent year for Bowling Green. Among some of the top goaltenders in college hockey this season, Ryan showed tremendous growth. He adds further depth to our organization at the goaltending position and we look forward to him continuing his development with the Florida Panthers."
You guys remember when goalies used to be average size? Haha.
See you tomorrow...
Go Panthers!