The struggles away from home ice continue for the Panthers after going 1-3 on their most recent road trip.
As the Cats lick their wounds, the Ottawa Senators come to town. Sitting in the seventh spot of the Atlantic Division, the Sens are hoping to take advantage of a Cats team that has some key injuries to its roster:
- Barkov: IR - Lomberg: COVID Protocol - Marchment: Week-to-week - Mamin: Day-to-day - Forsling: Sick (non-COVID) - Nutivaara: LBI - Acciari: Undisclosed
On the positive side, the Duke will be back in action tonight per Brunette, and Heponiemi has been called up from the AHL.
Brunette on getting Duclair back:
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) December 14, 2021
“Obviously excited to have him back. He brings a lot of speed to our lineup. We’ve missed him here these last couple weeks. It’s nice to see him back with us.… pic.twitter.com/iLcL5AS8WK
Lines this morning (per Jameson Olive) were as follows:
Huberdeau - Bennett - Reinhart Verhaeghe - Lundell - Duclair Vatrano - Thornton - Tippett Marchment - Luostarinen - Horngvist
Knight gets the start this evening and will be the focus of this game in my opinion. After claiming Jonas Johansson off waivers yesterday from Colorado, many Florida fans were left scratching their heads. Some claim Johansson is headed to the AHL, while others believe Knight will be headed to the A and Johansson will take over as Bob's backup.
As discussed in the comments of yesterday's blog, I like the idea of Knight being sent down. He needs regular reps. I can admit when I'm wrong. I thought Knight getting experience this year as a backup would be key to his development (and I'm sure it's certainly helped), but I think he'll benefit far more from a send down.
Billed as a "can't miss" goalie prodigy, fans went nuts when Knight was drafted - with some demanding that he be the #1 despite the fact that he had seen zero NHL action. Knight Fever was increased when he found early success after being called up and worsened after he displayed "ice-cold" focus against Tampa in the first-round of the 2020-21 playoffs.
Fans had their pitchforks out for Bob and whoever else might prevent Knight from being the starter.
Then reality hit.
After being made the backup to Bob for the 2021-22 season, we are seeing a different version of Knight than that of the small sample size last season.
Though his 6-3-2 record, 2.98 GAA and 904 SV% is respectable for an up-and-coming guy, the eye test shows something different. I have said this before, but one of the things that stood out to me with Knight last season was his confidence and focus/poise. I don't see those same things this year.
But that's kind of unfair. I'm drawing a conclusion based on a guy's demeanor and body language. He could be totally fine and I'm making something out of nothing.
What is fair (in my opinion) is to say that his positioning and movements seem to be a bit behind the NHL speed and skill. The more I watch him, the more it appears that he's going to rely on a sound technical/ positioning game - not athleticism. There have been goalies throughout history who have had success playing either style. It doesn't matter how you do it, so long as you keep pucks out of the net.
Someone pointed out in a previous blog that Kight's post-to-post movements are very slow. This is spot on. When opposing players circle around the back of the net or make passes out front that get Knight moving laterally across the crease, there is a slowness there. It's not a powerful burst, but more of gently glide.
There are also times where he seems to be off his angles a tad and can't make up for it with athleticism because his movements are a bit too slow when trying to match an attacking NHLer.
I think time in the AHL to get regular reps and work out some of the "kinks" would benefit him greatly. He's only 20. No need to rush him into the Panthers' #1 role (if that's where he's destined to be) - especially with the way Bob has been playing this year.
Here's what the Panthers need:
Bob to keep doing what he's doing and let Knight develop in the AHL. If Johansson and his 30 games of NHL experience (BUF/COL)can improve his weaker numbers and be a reliable backup that gets the job done, then roll with him. If not, find someone else.
Here's what the Panthers don't need:
Continue putting Knight in to appease the fanboys. It's obvious the Panthers feel he's the future. Why rush things? He's only 20.
With all that said…tonight will be interesting to see how Knight does. Though sporting an 8-16-1 record, Ottawa has found some success as of late - winning four of their last five - with their most recent W coming against the Lightning where the Sens downed TBL4-0 on Saturday. Brady Tkachuk also earned his first career hat trick that game.
While on paper the Cats should win (especially being back home), the Sens are building up a young/ skilled team that is capable of being dangerous if they get going.
Should be a fun one!
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Go Panthers!