The Florida Panthers lost 4-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night. Florida now drops below the .500 mark with the loss, while being four games out of the playoffs. Conversely, Carolina continues to dominate atop the Metropolitan division.
Game Recap
In a game that saw a lot of penalties, five were committed in the first period. It all began with a Jordan Martinook penalty that would be negated with a Barndon Montour penalty 36 seconds later. On the short Carolina power play, following the expiration of Martinook’s penalty, the Canes would strike. Noesen would pick up a rebound off the post for the early 1-0 lead. Florida would fail to score on another two power play chances in the period. Furthermore, the Cats would only tally THREE shots, I repeat, THREE shots in the period, with THREE power plays.
The second period continued with more penalties, and issues on the Panthers penalty kill. Florida would land on the penalty kill with a too many men penalty. Svechnikov would carry Carolina’s lead to two with a short side post-and-in goal. Six minutes later, the Hurricanes received yet another power play, this one for goalie interference by Sam Bennett. Back door, Teuvo Teravainen, wide open net, goal, making it 3-0. The middle frame saw a more spirited effort from the Panthers, but they still could not get the special teams going.
Florida finally found some relief on the penalty kill in the third period. Early on, they killed away an Anton Lundell penalty, but the kill was shortly followed with another Carolina goal. Jesperi Kotkaniemi had a free shot on Spencer Knight from the high slot. To no one’s surprise, with that time and space, he tucked it away for the 4-0 lead. The Panthers failed to score on their last power play opportunity of the night, and ended the year (2022) being shut out.
What Went Wrong?
For the second time this season, “FL Teams Star of the Game” is skipped and replaced with “What Went Wrong?”. The first time this was done, was Florida’s 3-1 loss to Arizona back in November. Both times, the issue has been as simple, yet as complicated as special teams.
0-for-6 on the power play Friday, 0-for-3 back in November. 2-for-5 on the penalty kill Fridat, 2-for-4 back in November. Looks like a step back, but Florida has improved from 27th to 20th in penalty kill percentage since that game. For the power play, they have improved from 30th to 26th.
With this, it is clear that the Panthers have been on the rise. Despite that rise, Friday night was a step back. These kind of games must be left in 2022 if the Panthers even want a sniff of a playoff spot. Florida’s New Year’s resolution: Improvement on the special teams.
Up Next
Florida begins 2023 at FLA Live Arena against the New York Rangers on New Year’s Day. Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM EST.