Follow @SpiegelSports The last time the Panthers saw the Islanders, they left New York shocked and confused as to how they lost a series they should have won. The Islanders were already a solid opponent, but the Cats learned that over a decade of futility made it difficult to earn the respect of the officials.
After too many horrible calls to count, including two critical missed tripping calls against Vincent Trocheck in games 5 and 6, all the Panthers had left was to endure a long summer before having the chance to improve on their most successful season in franchise history.
Saturday night may have been a critical step not only in exorcising the demons from last season, but also gaining their identity this year.
There were nine players one the ice that didn't play in last year's series, so it's safe to say not everyone had the same urgency to send a message to a team they know they should have sent home last April. But as the game wore on and Florida entered the third period down 2-0, it was time to break through.
Jaroslav Halak was outstanding for New York and kept the Panthers off the scoreboard for most of the game even though Florida was dominating throughout. Kyle Rau got his much deserved first NHL goal and Jonathan Marchessault came through with more magic with less than 15 seconds to play to send the game to overtime, tied 2-2.
As if that wasn't enough, rookie Denis Malgin scored the game winner with less than a minute left in an overtime period the Cats also dominated.
At the end of the season this might look like just another win in November, but it may prove to be much more than that.
After a goal was given to the Islanders that should have been negated because of goaltender interference, and a goal was taken away from the Panthers for goalie interference that didn't happen, it was shades of last April. At very worst the game should have been tied. Instead the Panthers were down by two.
The Panthers were angry, and it was palpable. On this night, they would not be denied.
New players on the roster or not, this was the type of win that can galvanize this group moving forward.
They have been injured.
Head coach Gerard Gallant has been shuffling lines and defensive pairs trying to optimize the current roster. It hasn't always worked but Saturday showed this team has the type of resiliency that will be needed in the months to come.
More importantly is WHO scored the goals. Rau, Marchessault, and Malgin? Really? While all eyes are on the top two lines the bottom two have been wreaking havoc, and it was on full display this night. On a side note that I will delve into in a later post, Marchessault might be the best free agent signing in the NHL.
Jussi Jokinen's return from injury last week after missing nine games was a boost. Reports are Nick Bjugstad will be returning some time during the 4-game road trip that starts Tuesday.
Slowly but surely things are coming together.
If you would have asked Florida brass this summer if they would be happy with a 7-7-1 record after 15 games, they would have scoffed. Now with Jokinen, Bjugstad, and Huberdeau missing extensive time all parties involved have to feel pretty good with their standing.
For the players that experienced the painful playoff loss to the Islanders last year, Saturday was extra sweet. You could see and feel it.
One win does not a season make, but this one felt different because of the emotion and recent history involved.
The Panthers now embark on a tough road trip to Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and New York to face the Rangers. Had the Panthers lost another heartbreaker to the Isles playing four road games in six days would have looked a lot more daunting than it does now.
The Panthers dug deep and came through with a win against a team the needed to beat for their own psyche. It's now time to improve upon it as they continue to grow and get healthier together.
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