5 Things We Learned About the Florida Panthers in Round 3
Grant White
Host · Writer
The Panthers are the NHL's Newest Dynasty
Let's call consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final what it is -- the start of a dynasty.
For years, the Florida Panthers were on the precipice of greatness. But it wasn't until they made a series of trades and brought on Paul Maurice as head coach that it all came together. Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett reinforced an already elite core, and Maurice brought the group together with effective systems.
They are just scratching the surface of how good the Panthers can be. As long as there aren't any radical changes this offseason, we should get used to seeing Florida go on extended runs.
The Panthers Can Beat You Any Way They Want
Three rounds into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and we finally have an appreciation for just how dominant the Florida Panthers are. The Atlantic Division winners made short work of the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers, dispatching their conference foes in six games.
Still, that doesn't do the Panthers' ferocity justice. Florida outplayed the Rangers in four of six games, accumulating a 62.1% expected goals-for rating. More impressively, we've seen the Panthers get the better of their opponents in various ways. They play with an unmatched truculence, dictating pace and tempo, while possessing top-end skill players who can compete against the NHL's best.
It's become abundantly clear: the Panthers can beat you in any way they want to.
Sergei Bobrovsky Has Found His Rhythm in the Crease
It's easy to lose sight of, but let's not forget that the Panthers started last postseason with Spencer Knight between the pipes. Sergei Bobrovsky had an underwhelming playoff track record and a disappointing end to the campaign, leaving Paul Maurice nowhere else to turn. However, an improved performance and extended playoff run renewed the Panthers' faith in their netminder. After struggling through the first two rounds, Bobrovsky has solidified his position in the starter's crease.
Bobrovsky posted a cumulative 92.1% save percentage in the Eastern Conference Final. Besides one disastrous five-goal outing, he also limited the Rangers to two or fewer goals each time out.
That is the quality goaltending the Panthers desperately needed in last year's pursuit of hockey's Holy Grail. But if Bobrovsky can maintain that form, there will be no denying them two years in a row.
Defensive Depth is a Unbeatable
Not surprisingly, the Panthers' elite defenders have played a crucial role in the team's success. Florida can roll all six d-men without consequence, bolstering their Stanley Cup aspirations.
Through 17 playoff games, only Oliver Ekman-Larsson has a minus rating, posting a -2. Otherwise, all five other rearguards have positive ratings while averaging at least 13:57 on-ice time per night. Moreover, five of six defensemen have recorded at least three points, with all but one of those players finding the back of the net.
The Panthers' offense and goaltending get the lion's share of the credit for their playoff success, but they wouldn't be on their way to their second straight Stanley Cup Final without their top-end defending.
Sam Bennett is the New Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Tkachuk remains a driving force on the Panthers, but Sam Bennett has emerged from the captain's shadow, ready to make a name for himself.
Bennett has come a long way from being unable to do a chin-up at the NHL Combine all those years ago. Now, the former fourth-overall selection is playing with an unmatched ferocity, leading Florida to its second straight Stanley Cup Final.
The Panthers center was a point-per-game player in the third round. Bennett totaled six points through six games, including four goals and a +4 rating. Further, he had at least three hits in every outing, finishing the series with 27 hits.
Playing against Tkachuk is no easy feat, but finding a way to beat two of them is damn near impossible.
The Panthers are the NHL's Newest Dynasty
Let's call consecutive trips to the Stanley Cup Final what it is -- the start of a dynasty.
For years, the Florida Panthers were on the precipice of greatness. But it wasn't until they made a series of trades and brought on Paul Maurice as head coach that it all came together. Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett reinforced an already elite core, and Maurice brought the group together with effective systems.
They are just scratching the surface of how good the Panthers can be. As long as there aren't any radical changes this offseason, we should get used to seeing Florida go on extended runs.
The Panthers Can Beat You Any Way They Want
Three rounds into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and we finally have an appreciation for just how dominant the Florida Panthers are. The Atlantic Division winners made short work of the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers, dispatching their conference foes in six games.
Still, that doesn't do the Panthers' ferocity justice. Florida outplayed the Rangers in four of six games, accumulating a 62.1% expected goals-for rating. More impressively, we've seen the Panthers get the better of their opponents in various ways. They play with an unmatched truculence, dictating pace and tempo, while possessing top-end skill players who can compete against the NHL's best.
It's become abundantly clear: the Panthers can beat you in any way they want to.
