The Florida Panthers – Looking to Even the Score

Let’s see what the Florida Panthers (40-13-5) are made of at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night!

The Panthers will have a long seven-game road trip in these upcoming weeks starting off with the Los Angeles Kings (32-19-8), who are second place in the Pacific Division with 72 points. Florida, meanwhile, is ranked number one in the National Hockey League with 243 goals.

Do you believe in revenge games? Or, just all out analysis of play?

In their last game facing off head-to-head (December 16th), the Panthers lost to the Kings 4-1.

For the Panthers to be successful against the Kings, they must rely on the leadership of their captain, Aleksander Barkov. Barkov, a centerpiece for Florida, has netted 26 goals and contributed 33 assists this season. Communication is very key in this battle to tip the odds in your favorite. Hockey is a very slow and fast paced sport in multiple intervals. The Panthers are an aggressive squad, who can crash the net like it’s no tomorrow and hit the Kings with some body checks to make them feel uncomfortable in their home arena.

The Panthers are going to have to put the Kings into the penalty box to possibly seize checkmate with 5-on-4, and 5-on-3 power-play opportunities and work on their power-play skills. Sometimes, overwhelming the opponent can be an enormous key to success. The LA Kings have momentum in their favor after the first victory, but hitting center ice once again in a short time, this outcome is going to be different. Florida must properly do line changes and not put their squad in a disadvantage with breakaway opportunities.

What about the core of the Panthers? Sam Bennett has 24 goals, along with Anthony Duclair as well. Also, Sam Reinhart has 22 goals to round out the talent for Florida. Can these guys get it done? Or, will we see another unsung hero rise up in the ranks?

The elusiveness of the Kings skating down the ice is not hidden. Led by their captain Anze Kopitar who has 15 goals and 36 assists (51 points), Los Angeles is thinking sweep. Kopitar isn’t coming alone as he has the speed of Adrain Kempe (25 goals and 11 assists), who is going to be a key player for Florida to shutdown if they want to reach a victory. As long as the Panthers don’t play the penalty box game, they should be victorious.

Can both the Panthers net-minders Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight stand on their heads for the test of time if called upon head coach Andrew Brunette? There is always a chance you can see more than one goalie get the nod. Florida needs to scratch and claw to start off this trip on a positive note.

Will not being in front of their home fans play a huge factor for the Panthers? The crowds are so advantageous for the home teams. The Panthers can’t let that go to their heads. Florida needs to get this win and keep on traveling to their destinations before going back home.

If the Panthers win, revenge is surely going to be sweet. Getting a win against one of your 32 rivals is always great.

Can they do it? Or, will the Kings be celebrating with their fans by giving away hats, t-shirts, and some photos by sweeping the ice?