After a needed win against a bad San Jose Sharks team, the Panthers will host the 2-4-2 Seattle Kraken in an early Saturday evening tilt.
Going back to Tuesday’s win…even though the Sharks are 0-7-1, they’re still very much an NHL team that is capable of winning any night. Look no further than the rebuilding Blackhawks beating the previously-undefeated Las Vegas Golden Knights in OT Friday night.
The Cats were a horrid 19/50 (38%) at the dot and their special teams struggles continue as the PP unit went 1/4, and the PK was 1/3.
I don’t expect these things to be fixed over night (though it would be nice), and I’m happy for the win, but part of the reality is that a shaky San Jose team kept things relatively close in a 3-1 loss (the third goal being an empty net).
The Panthers never really controlled the game like we expected them to do. But what I really liked seeing was the play of Anthony Stolarz…
At 6’6”, 243 lbs, Stolarz fits the mold of the modern day big goaltender. It was interesting watching his style compared to Bob. While Bob is not small (6’2”, 188 lbs), the two netminders play a different game.
Where Bob relies on a low crouch stance and quickness, Stolarz uses his mass to his advantage. That’s not to say he’s not quick/athletic, but he takes away so much of the net just standing there (even more when working his angles). It’s also impressive how he takes away the whole bottom of the net when dropping into the butterfly position.
I noticed that when Stolarz challenges the shot, his body almost looks like a big rectangle in the net - he takes away so much of it for the shooters. What’s more, he’s a strong guy who is not pushed around when out of position. A good example of this was when Duclair had him down and scrambling, Stolarz used his weight and reach to his advantage by clamping down on the puck and not allowing himself to be moved out of the way by Duclair.
The icing on the cake is the great red/gold pad setup he has going. The only thing I’d like to see changed is his mask…I’m not feeling it.
The big man turned away 27 of 28 shots to earn the win in his Cats debut. Looking forward to seeing more of him in the blue paint!
Tonight
The Panthers will look to get on a winning streak tonight when the Kraken come to town. Florida’s odds could be improved if the rumors of Sam Bennett’s return are true.
Bennett has yet to make his season debut, but he hit the ice this past Thursday to practice with the team for the first time since going down with a lower-body injury he sustained on October 5th during a preseason game against the Lightning.
Look for Bob to be in net after having a nice little break.
My prediction for tonight is Tkachuk buries his first of the year. He came close a number of times on Tuesday and is so deadly down low. I love the move he does where he’s on the goalie and either passes for a one-timer out front, or turns for a quick shot on net.
How about Mikkola? I really like how he’s been playing lately. The big-lanky defenseman who seems to have a bit of a knack for jumping in the play offensively at the right times, as well as starting a good breakout.
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