Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer knew his team's new attacking, aggressive style probably would lead to committing more penalties.

Through two games, the Panthers penalty-killing unit has been tested and the early results show a team that is fairly effective and unflappable.

The Panthers' penalty killing played a major role in their first victory of the season, a 3-2 overtime win against division rival Atlanta Saturday night at BankAtlantic Center.

The Panthers killed seven penalties in their home opener.

''In this league, it's about power plays and penalty killing, and our penalty killing was amazing right from the start of the game,'' Panthers center Rostislav Olesz said after Saturday's victory. ``It was a good way to win the game.''

Defenseman Keith Ballard was whistled 10 seconds into the game for tripping, and 33 seconds later center Brett McLean joined him in the penalty box for hooking, giving Atlanta a 5-on-3 advantage. The Thrashers managed only one scoring opportunity during that situation, and players said killing that penalty set the tone for the rest of the game.

''That was huge,'' right wing Richard Zednik said. ``We were great [Saturday] and that's what we need.''

MORE AGGRESSIVE

Ballard had a team-high two penalties, drawing another 7:04 into the third period for roughing. Center Stephen Weiss was called for hooking with less than five minutes left in regulation, giving Atlanta an opportunity to break a 2-2 tie.

DeBoer said penalties made it difficult to gain momentum, but his team pushed through. Overall, he was pleased with the team's penalty killing, and particularly with one player.

''Your goaltender is always your best penalty killer. I thought Tomas [Vokoun] bounced back and was our best player,'' DeBoer said Saturday night. ``He gave us an opportunity to win after a slow start. I think our penalty killing [unit] did a good job and was tight.''

The Panthers, who have committed 11 penalties this season, have allowed two power-play goals -- both in the season opener, when Carolina capitalized on four power-play opportunities.

Last season, the Panthers ranked 16th in the league in penalty killing. The most glaring stat: The Panthers had 313 power-play opportunities -- second-fewest in the league -- but committed 433 penalties, 15th in the league. As a result, the Panthers had a wide penalty-to-power-play differential. In fact, DeBoer said the team had one of the worst margins in the NHL.

EQUAL TIME

So far, the Panthers are faring better. They have drawn 11 power plays, equaling their penalties.

''I can't complain,'' DeBoer said. ``We're playing on our toes. We're drawing more penalties. You're going to take some penalties playing aggressive hockey. Obviously we don't want four in a row to start a game, but I'm not concerned about it.''

Olesz, a key penalty killer, said the penalties could have proven costly against Atlanta. But he said it turned out being a positive because the Panthers defense limited the Thrashers' scoring opportunities on the power play and Vokoun was flawless. That the team also showed its penalty-killing mettle a night after losing to Carolina 6-4 also was impressive.

Zednik liked what he saw against Atlanta, but said the team needs to find a way to be aggressive without committing too many penalties.

''Last year, we had too many penalties, and this year we have to cut it out,'' Zednik said. ``We're working on it.''

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