After an inconsistent start to the season, the Florida Panthers are beginning to round into form.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions hope to continue their hot stretch when they host the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in Sunrise, Fla.
Florida enters Tuesday’s action tied for fifth place in a tightly packed Atlantic Division, but the last several weeks have more closely resembled the team that has dominated the NHL in the recent past.
The Panthers have captured five of their last seven games, including recent performances that show they can still win on both ends of the ice. They have won recent high-scoring games against the Vancouver Canucks (8-5) and Nashville Predators (8-3), in addition to a low-scoring victory versus the New Jersey Devils (1-0).
In the romp over Nashville on Monday, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart each notched a goal and two assists, while Evan Rodrigues and Gustav Forsling chipped in with one of each apiece.
“All our offense was when we kept it simple,” Reinhart said, making sure to credit Daniil Tarasov’s 36 saves. “(Tarasov) played big when he had to, we made some good plays defensively. So, all around, it was a good effort.”
Twelve different players recorded at least one point for Florida, which will now play its next six games at home.
“The big thing for us is no matter who is out, who is playing on what line, we’re all creating offense the same ways,” Reinhart said. “We’re defensive first, which creates plays for us, creates time and space. That’s where all our offense comes from.”
While the Panthers are settling down for a homestand, the Flyers are on a four-game road trip that began in disappointing fashion. Philadelphia fell 3-0 in Tampa Bay on Monday as coach Rick Tocchet’s team saw its mini-winning streak halted at two games.
“There were plays to be made, we just didn’t make them,” Tocchet said. “Their best players won them the game. … We had chances. There were plays to be made, we just didn’t find the net.”
Samuel Ersson made 15 saves for the Flyers, who likely will turn back to Dan Vladar in net for Wednesday’s matchup.
“It doesn’t matter who we play or what kind of game we play, we have to be ready to play any kind of game and find ways to win,” Flyers captain Sean Couturier said.
This is already the third and final matchup of the season between the Flyers and Panthers. Florida nipped Philadelphia 2-1 on Opening Night before the Flyers returned the favor four days later with a 5-2 victory.
Reinhart notched a goal and an assist in the most recent matchup between the teams, although Couturier stole the show that night with two of each.
“They’re a hard team to play against, so to hang in there against that team (was impressive),” Tocchet said after his team’s recent win over Florida. “Can we build confidence? Can we build an identity, a little bit of swagger? Hopefully this can help us catapult to the next level. We’ll see.”
