5 Things We Learned About the Florida Panthers in Round 2
Grant White
Host · Writer
Florida Doesn't Need Home-Ice Advantage
The Florida Panthers are disproving one previously held notion—home ice doesn't mean a lot in the playoffs. The Atlantic Division winners have gone 4-1 on the road this postseason, including 3-0 versus Boston.
The more impressive feat is just how convincing these wins have been. Florida allowed two or fewer goals in all three of their road games against the Bruins. Further, they posted a cumulative 51.8% expected goals-for rating while outplaying the Bruins in two of three.
The New York Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy and earned home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Unfortunately, that doesn't amount to much of an advantage against a team as skilled as the Panthers.
The Panthers Were Grittier Than the Bruins
The Florida Panthers are off to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight season. Like their 2023 journey, this year's path includes a decisive playoff victory over their division rivals, the Boston Bruins.
For decades, the Bruins have cemented themselves as one of the most truculent teams in the NHL; however, the Panthers beat them at their own game again in this second-round matchup. Boston antagonized the Panthers at every turn but consistently lost those battles.
In the end, Florida won the war and also lost very few battles along the way. That makes them a tough out as they try to make consecutive Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Matthew Tkachuk is the Undisputed Leader
The Panthers haven't always been a gritty and intimidating opponent. The team lacked a tough dimension, leaving them unable to compete when the intensity was ratcheted up in the postseason. That is until they acquired Matthew Tkachuk. Since then, he's elevated Florida's profile, becoming the undisputed team leader and turning the Atlantic Division squad into a perennial Cup contender.
Tkachuk does it all. He leads the team in scoring, plays across all strengths, and isn't afraid to muck it up. We saw it throughout the second-round matchup against the Bruins. Tkachuk has this uncanny knack for getting under his opponent's skin and then still having the skill to outplay them.
Whenever the Panthers need him most, Tkachuk steps up. It's not surprising that he's near the top of the Conn Smythe futures board, currently priced with the fifth-best odds at +950.
Gustav Forsling is the Panthers' Best Defenseman
Florida drafted Aaron Ekblad with the first overall selection in the 2014 NHL Draft. Although he's spent the past ten years as the pre-eminent force on the Panthers' blue line, it's time to give Gustav Forsling the respect he deserves as the new top defenseman.
Forsling has been the stabilizing force on Florida's back end. The 27-year-old has usurped Ekblad in virtually every facet of the game. Forsling has outscored Ekblad, out-pacing him in goals and assists while compiling a more robust analytics profile. At five-on-five, Forsling has a better Corsi rating, with more scoring and high-danger chances, resulting in a superior expected goals-for rating.
The Panthers deploy Forsling in any circumstance, getting the most out of their preferred defenseman in any zone. Forsling will continue to be a catalyst for the Panthers against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final.
Sam Reinhart is Getting Paid This Offseason
After a year of failing to develop as anticipated, the Buffalo Sabres traded away their former top draft pick, Sam Reinhart, ahead of the 2021-22 season. Three years later, Reinhart thrives with the Panthers and is due for a significant pay increase when the free agency period kicks off.
Reinhart is a primary contributor for the Panthers, and we saw that throughout their series against the Bruins. He played more than 22 minutes in three of the series' last four games, being used across all strengths. Reinhart is deployed on the top powerplay unit while also serving as a primary penalty killer. Moreover, he had a four-assist outing in Game 2, bringing his playoff point total to nine in 11 games.
Two-way centers who can score and play a responsible defensive game are hard to come by. Reinhart is using this postseason to boost his perceived value during free agency.
Florida Doesn't Need Home-Ice Advantage
The Florida Panthers are disproving one previously held notion—home ice doesn't mean a lot in the playoffs. The Atlantic Division winners have gone 4-1 on the road this postseason, including 3-0 versus Boston.
The more impressive feat is just how convincing these wins have been. Florida allowed two or fewer goals in all three of their road games against the Bruins. Further, they posted a cumulative 51.8% expected goals-for rating while outplaying the Bruins in two of three.
The New York Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy and earned home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. Unfortunately, that doesn't amount to much of an advantage against a team as skilled as the Panthers.
The Panthers Were Grittier Than the Bruins
The Florida Panthers are off to the Eastern Conference Final for the second straight season. Like their 2023 journey, this year's path includes a decisive playoff victory over their division rivals, the Boston Bruins.
For decades, the Bruins have cemented themselves as one of the most truculent teams in the NHL; however, the Panthers beat them at their own game again in this second-round matchup. Boston antagonized the Panthers at every turn but consistently lost those battles.
In the end, Florida won the war and also lost very few battles along the way. That makes them a tough out as they try to make consecutive Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.
