LAS VEGAS — Two video games into the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers seem like an 8 seed for the primary time all playoffs.
Florida was torched for a second consecutive sport, dropping 7-2 to the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday to fall right into a 2-0 deficit within the best-of-seven collection.
And whereas the collection could also be removed from over because the scene shifts to Florida for Games 3 and 4, the Panthers will want a a lot better effort from their contingent of stars that led them previous three of the highest 4 seeds within the Eastern Conference and into the Cup Final.
“The parts of our game that we know that we can improve, we’re going to have to get to real fast. There’s no doubt about that,” Florida coach Paul Maurice stated. “We’ll have a pretty simple game plan. I don’t think it’s about scoring goals in this series because I think it’s about defending the rush, and we weren’t great at that tonight.”
The Panthers allowed a mean of two.6 objectives by means of their first 16 playoff video games, however have been lit up for 12 within the first two of the ultimate. Vegas’ 12 objectives match probably the most by a crew by means of the primary two video games of the Cup Final for the reason that NHL enlargement period started in 1967-68.
Sergei Bobrovsky, the most popular goaltender in hockey going into the ultimate, was pulled halfway by means of Game 2 after permitting 4 objectives on 13 photographs to the Golden Knights.
PHOTOS: Bobrovsky pulled, different stars battle as Panthers fall behind 2-0 in Stanley Cup Final
It marked the primary time this postseason the 13-year veteran allowed 4 objectives in consecutive video games. He additionally gave up 4 objectives in every of his final two regular-season video games.
Jonathan Marchessault and Alec Martinez gave Vegas a 2-0 lead within the first interval. Nicolas Roy made it 3-0 simply 2:59 into the second, and Brett Howden ended Bobrovsky’s evening minutes later when he deked his means throughout the crease and tapped the puck right into a wide-open internet.
Alex Lyon, who opened the playoffs as Florida’s starter, changed Bobrovsky after Howden scored 7:10 into the second.
Bobrovsky coming into the collection had gained 11 of 12 video games and stopped 438 of 465 photographs throughout that span for a 1.95 goals-against common and .942 save share.
So far within the closing, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner has a 5.52 GAA and .826 save share.
Lyon completed the sport permitting three objectives on 15 photographs.
Maurice was non-committal when requested concerning the crew’s goalie standing for Game 3.
“We’ll sweat about that for the next two days,” he stated. “We can be a little better in front of our goaltender. He’s been unbelievable for us, so I got him out to keep him rested.”
Then there’s MVP finalist and alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk, who has been the offensive chief for the Panthers with 9 objectives and 12 assists within the first three rounds. He now has extra misconducts (3) than he does objectives (1) in his first Stanley Cup Final look.
Florida was whistled for 14 penalties, together with two misconducts by Tkachuk, who insisted the Panthers are merely enjoying their model of bodily hockey.
“I just think we’re a big, physical team,” Tkachuk stated. “That’s how we have played the last second half of the year and been successful. I just don’t think there’s teams that play as physical as we do.”
Maybe not, however the Golden Knights have capitalized on Florida’s 130 penalty minutes, going 4 for 11 (36.4%) on the ability play, a serious bounce from their 18.5% clip by means of the primary three rounds.
What ought to have the Panthers involved is that they’ve been worse on the penalty kill at dwelling than on the street, giving up six objectives on 19 possibilities. That 68.4% price ranks 14th of 16 playoff groups.
Tkachuk was assured, nevertheless, the Panthers would rediscover the magic that received them previous three opponents they weren’t presupposed to beat.
“I think that going home and playing in front of our amazing fans and the momentum we’ve had playing there like the last month and honestly since January, we’ve been a solid home team, and we’re going to need them and hope to come out in Game 3 playing our best hockey of the season,” Tkachuk stated. “I think if we do that, that’ll be a recipe for success for us, and can make this a series.”
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