The Florida Panthers get bullied by backup goaltenders. They get bullied by players who have yet to score a goal during the season, or their careers. They get bullied in shootouts, since FOREVER. They get bullied by opposing players that are normally average but Hall of Famers when lacing it up against Florida.
Now this might sound like hyperbole to some, but these things have been perennial problems. It was only two seasons ago the Panthers won their first division title in franchise history. They were one goal in double OT of Game 7 against the Devils of advancing to the 2nd round of the playoffs. The Devils then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals.
That seems like eons ago. Outside of that one season, everything mentioned in paragraph 1 are neverending trends.
If the Panthers were as banged up as they were last year, their 3-8-4 start might be understandable. But they are relatively healthy outside of Tim Thomas and still can't get out of their own way.
They have scored first in only four of their games, and have been behind going into the 3rd period in seemingly every game. It is no surprise this team is offensively challenged so playing from behind is not their forte. Yet the 3rd period is statistically their best period offensively. Guess there is no substitute for desperation!
Perhaps a team hypnotist is needed where they can trick the team into thinking the 1st period is the 3rd. And the 2nd. And the 3rd.
That is what is maddening.
This team is not this bad.
Yet something is missing.
The misguided haters would say the team just sucks and that is the end of it.
Clearly there are more educated answers as to why this team allows themselves to get bullied in the first two periods of most games.
But the problem is every night it might be a different reason.
Perhaps Jacob Markstrom gives up a horrible goal, as was the case on Edmonton's 2nd goal last night.
Maybe the entire team forgot how to hit the net consistently with their offensive chances.
But whatever it is it is always something.
The have yet to put 60 minutes together that resulted in a solid win, and it's unacceptable.
Last night GM Dale Tallon, Assistant GM Mike Santos, and Minority Owner Doug Cifu met late into the night after another humiliating loss to a struggling team. "There will be changes though,'' Tallon said. "I don't make rash decisions. None of us are happy. I have to fix this and I will. We're better than this.''
It looks like it would take a miracle for head coach Kevin Dineen to save his job if they come of out of these next 9 games, 8 of which are on the road, any worse than 5-4. Everyone within the organization likes Dineen a lot and he is well-respected, but the standings say it all. They are tied for the third worst point total in the NHL are also tied for the third worst in goals against.
Dineen was a tough, gritty, smart player for many years. This inconsistent, often soft, style of play must drive him crazy. Few players are willing to take some punishment in front of the net, even on power plays. The young big bodies in Nick Bjugstad and Aleksander Barkov have yet to use their size effectively.
Stanley Cup winners Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecky, whose salaries are $10.1 million combined, have accounted for zero goals, 7 assists, and -3. All 7 assists are Campbell's.
It's hard to look at the roster as constructed and figure out the exact problem. But often times the coaching staff has to take the fall for substandard play. Unless the ship is turned around quickly, on the road no less, this regime's days are likely numbered.
The last thing this team needs is another setback with instability, but it is because of the new stability in ownership that the best course of action might be to get a new voice coaching these players. To think Tallon's job is in trouble would be a reach, but the coaches need to dig deep to get some consecutive wins out of this team.
That, or get bullied for the first two periods of every game before the team decides to wake up.
Dan Spiegel... Florida Panthers Media Follow me on Twitter Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page Connect with me on Google Plus