The Florida Panthers are a funny bunch.
After losing 7 of 8 games and seemingly plummeting out of the playoff race they were firmly entrenched in just 3 weeks ago, they do what they did against the Islanders Tuesday night.
On a back to back night after the Rangers destroyed them in the 3rd period to secure a 6-3 win on Monday, the Panthers went into Nassau Coliseum and played one of their best games of the year. Their 4-2 win not only stopped the bleeding on the most untimely slump, but also gave a glimmer of hope as they return home for three vital games.
A very small glimmer.
Even though the L.A. Kings are in a inexplicable tailspin, they are still the Kings and await the Panthers in Sunrise Thursday night. It doesn't get any easier as the Predators and Ducks follow in what is a do or die homestand for the Cats.
The recent losing streak has left no room for error, and the Panthers need to return to their first half of the season ways in squeaking out at least a point in almost every game.
Had the Panthers lost on Long Island Tuesday, it may have been the last chance for the Panthers to salvage the season. But for the Panthers to win in such a solid fashion might bode well for the weeks ahead. Perhaps enough is enough, and the Willie Mitchells and Shawn Thorntons in the room have declared as much.
While the Rangers beating the Bruins in regulation Wednesday is a big help, the Panthers need a minimum of 4 points over the next 3 games to stay in the race. The ability to put 60 minute efforts together like they did on the Island remains to be seen.
I mentioned during and after the All-Star break the Panthers' power play unit needed to start clicking.
Obviously head coach Gerard Gallant agreed.
If the Panthers are behind in the game, it seems the power play unit will consist of 4 forwards and 1 defenseman indefinitely. Why not? Their 29th ranked unit can only go up. Why not roll the dice? It has started to spark the group. However, it has also resulted in the Panthers giving up multiple devastating shorthanded goals over the last few weeks. But it would be safe to say those types of breakdowns will be cleaned up as the team gets used to that personnel on the ice.
Unfortunately the damage done by those gaffes might be extremely costly at the end of the year.
There is no way around it. The Panthers are hanging on by a thread. They are arguably the only team in the Eastern Conference on the outside looking in that can squeak into the playoffs.
But it will take a hell of an effort. It will take even more consistency than the first 40 games. Is it better the worst slump of the season happened in January? Probably. IF that ends up being the worst. Another tailspin like that and c'est la vie. Book the tee times.
It would be premature to count this team out just yet. They have a certain something not seen in several years, including their playoff berth three years ago. They're tougher, deeper, and more resilient. They're also young, which is where the recent inconsistencies lie.
But the next 3 games are huge. Really huge. It's all on the line for this team.
Do you think they will respond?
Dan Spiegel... Florida Panthers Media