The Panthers got the memo. Not necessarily from me, but in my last post I discussed the Panthers needing to stop being cute and just shoot from everywhere.
Yes it was against the lowly Sabres, but the Cats shot the puck, a lot, which resulted in the Panthers winning their first game of the year 1-0. Roberto Luongo was stellar in his 67th career shutout. He passed Patrick Roy into the 13th spot in all-time shutouts list.
It feels good to be in the win column for the first time this year, including the preseason. But even after the most complete game of the year there is still a lot of head scratching going on about the lack of goals. If Roberto Luongo is relied upon to only give up a maximum of 1 or 2 goals a game in order to get points, it is going to be a long season.
The Panthers have had their chances. Last night both Scottie Upshall and Tomas Fleischmann had point blank chances on Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth, only to be predictably turned away. The Panthers have been making mediocre starting and backup goaltenders look like Hall of Famers for years. That trend needs to stop.
Of all Panther players, Fleischmann is the most puzzling as to why he can't light the lamp more often. He scored 27 goals in his first year as a Panther three seasons ago and it has been all downhill since. Last night was a chance for him to get the early season monkey off his back, but he'll just have to keep searching.
The Panthers' 35 shots were a season high and Nick Bjugstad and Sean Bergenheim elevated their games, combining for 11 shots. Bergenheim's goal early in the 2nd period was the decider. Jimmy Hayes was rewarded for his great play in limited ice time against Ottawa and was listed on the top line to start the game. Like the Senators game he recorded 4 shots against Buffalo.
Either the Panthers are who they are and it will be another year of squeaking out every victory or the flood gates are eventually going to open and the goals will come in bunches. With the chances they are now creating they definitely deserve it. Panther fans hope that happens tonight in Washington where they have been absolutely dismal against the Capitals. The Panthers are 9-0-1 in their last 10 games and haven't won in the nation's capital since Feb. 1st, 2012.
Perhaps getting away from home, and farther away from the first period of the home opener, is exactly what the doctor ordered. Montoya vs. Peters...battle of the backups. How the Panthers come out tonight on the back-to-back will be interesting to see.
Dan Spiegel Florida Panthers Media