Follow @SpiegelSports It's been a bizarre schedule for the Florida Panthers, who coming into tonight have only played seven games in the last 26 days.
For players like Nick Bjugstad and Jonathan Huberdeau, the sporadic schedule is frustrating. The best way to get back into top shape is to play games consistently. Since coming back from a groin injury Bjugstad has played in six games. Huberdeau(Achilles) played in his first game of the year February 3rd against Anaheim and has only played three games.
The healthy players that have been carrying the load welcomed the time off, but the players just coming back need the real game time action to get their conditioning and timing down. That sets up an interesting dynamic in the locker room, as Bjugstad discusses here:
Today Huberdeau discussed how he's feeling and how a regular game schedule will help him and the team for the stretch run.
The Panthers started a brutal five game road trip with a win at rousing 7-4 win at Nashville last Saturday and will play the Sharks, Ducks, Kings, and Blues over the next six days.
This type of litmus test should reveal the real Florida Panthers.
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