Heckuva Road Trip!
Like the title says, it really was one heck of road trip by the Panthers.
Not only three games in four days, but the Cats also visited some of the tougher places in the league to grind out a victory in: Buffalo, Detroit, and MSG—New York.
Florida now have four straight victories on the road. Winning these three games: 6-2, 2-1 (OT), and 3-2.
The fourth victory came in Boston (Nov. 12), when the Panthers won 1-0 after a shootout.
It seems the Cats enjoy being on the road…
Perhaps that is due to the team’s tactics being favorable for road games.
Playing defensively responsible and gunning on the counter seems to be the melody for Florida.
When playing at home on the other hand, a home-crowd dictates that the Panthers go out and try to take the game to the opponents; a tactic that leaves holes in defense. And ultimately, a tactic that does not seem to suit this team as well.
However, the confidence that the felines form must be generating throughout the team—ought to help the players elevate their game when going forward as well. At least that’s what we’ll be hoping; seeing as the Cats now play the next three games in Sunrise.
The Penguins on Monday, Rangers again on Wednesday, and the resurging Maple Leafs on Friday—will give the Panthers ample opportunities to hone their home game and tactics.
For a while it seemed that Florida where already out of the playoff race, after the opening 12 games of the season, but since then the Cats have come on strong and are now 7-2-1 in their last 10 games—and a mere point behind Tampa Bay in eighth spot of the Conference.
It must be said that results went Florida’s way yesterday. Not only did the Panthers beat the NY Rangers 3-2, but many teams above us lost points as well: Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, NY Islanders, NJ Devils, and Buffalo; all lost their respective games.
That is news well received here in South Florida as fans again are starting to believe in this hockey club again.
Tentatively at first perhaps, but if they keep on playing the way they have lately, there is no reason not to hope we can make a genuine playoff challenge again this year.
Sooner or later, our time—another year of rats—must come again, right?
