Monday evening’s Panthers-Rangers conflict on the Backyard pitted two of the NHL’s greatest data towards one another, however after 60 minutes one staff had undeniably made the higher impression. The Rangers wanted a four-minute energy play to tie the sport at two after two, and Igor Shesterkin let in a softie for the game-winner within the third, so after the empty web it wasn’t simply the Panthers celebrating . their greatest forty second win within the league, but additionally their fifteenth win of their final 17 video games. Identical to within the common season two years in the past, and within the 2023 playoffs, these Panthers are steamrolling the league. However this is likely to be probably the most full model of this franchise we have ever seen.
The important thing to this victory was the Cats mixture of Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, who produced two objectives halfway by means of the match. Reinhart, a commerce acquisition from Buffalo a couple of years in the past, is within the midst of a supernova of a 44-goal marketing campaign to date, whereas Barkov, the 28-year-old who has captained the staff since 2018, is on his option to a profession. excessive with 47 assists by means of 56 video games. Reinhart finishes when he will get alternatives, and with the power of his teammates on the ice (Carter Verhaeghe additionally has 30 objectives; the protection retains the play out of their very own zone higher than most) he has many high-quality alternatives to place the puck in to throw the web.
For instance, Reinhart was prepared when Barkov used some magic to tie the match. Whereas making an attempt to enter a give-and-go zone with Verhaeghe, the puck bounced awkwardly on Barkov’s stick. Nonetheless, he remained calmly centered on the small black disc, juggling it round a Rangers defender and positioning his physique to punch it to Reinhart on the opposite facet of the web. Even when this hadn’t resulted in a aim, it will nonetheless be a spotlight. As a result of the crimson gentle was flashing, it is probably the greatest performs of the 12 months from the Presidents’ Trophy frontrunners.
The Panthers of two years in the past had been constant winners however had been nonetheless somewhat wobbly, counting on an overwhelmed assault to supply comebacks when their again half faltered. The eight-seed Panthers from the final playoffs blew by means of the East, however could not assist however really feel somewhat velvety as they practically ran out of breath as they rushed to make it to the primary spherical. It is exhausting to choose holes in these Panthers, although. They’re having fun with precious seasons with each aim choices, limiting opponents to fewer pictures than anybody aside from the Hurricanes, and forcing opposing netminders to work tougher towards them than every other. staff. Whereas it is the highest line that will get the objectives, and the extraordinary Matt Tkachuk/Nick Cousins second line provides different groups complications, there isn’t any group of skaters losing their minutes, and low taking pictures percentages for guys like Cousins and Evan Rodrigues give hope that Florida hasn’t even reached its ceiling but. Nothing a few sizzling streak in March ensures something two months later, however at present’s Panthers needn’t repair something.