‘We know how good we are’: Even without Barkov, Panthers dominate in win over Hurricanes
Andrew Brunette won’t go as far as to say the Florida Panthers’ 5-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes was a statement game.
“They don’t present trophies in November,” the Panthers’ interim coach said.
But considering the stakes and considering the situation, the Panthers continued to send a clear message to the rest of the National Hockey League: They’re a team to be reckoned with.
”We know how good we are,” winger Anthony Duclair said.
And they showed it under some tenuous circumstances on Saturday.
The Panthers were playing the last undefeated team in the NHL and doing so without their captain and star center Aleksander Barkov. And top goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. And second-line center Sam Bennett.
And in the end, none of that mattered.
The Panthers’ forward depth was on full display. The offense dominated in the first period and gave them a lead they wouldn’t give up. Florida’s special teams also excelled at critical times.
As a result Florida became just the third team in NHL history to start a season 10-0-1 and are the only remaining team in the NHL this season without a regulation loss. The Hurricanes are now 9-1-0.
“We all collectively as a group want to step up for [Barkov] and keep the streak alive,” Duclair said. “They’re obviously a really good team. They’re going to be one of the top teams in the league, a Cup contender.”
How dominant was the opening period? The Panthers scored four goals, including three on the power play, on 14 shots. Duclair, Frank Vatrano, Anton Lundell and Patric Hornqvist scored for the Panthers in the opening period. Duclair was involved in all three power-play goals, getting the secondary assists on the goals by Vatrano and Hornqvist. Brandon Montour also had two assists.
The effort temporarily sent Carolina goaltender Frederick Andersen to the bench.
And it was only temporarily because Anderson had to re-enter the game about 12 and a half minutes into the second period after Hurricanes backup goaltender Antti Raanta was injured after a collision with Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg near the right circle faceoff dot when Raanta left the crease trying to make a play on the puck.
Lomberg was hit with a five-minute penalty for charging as well as a game misconduct.
“Anytime you run into the goalie you’re going to be in a little bit of trouble,” Brunette said. “Not sure about the five minutes. I thought he went for the puck. But, like I said, you run into the goalie, it’s their discretion. They’ve got to protect players.”
Carolina managed to score just one goal in that five-minute window, with Vincent Trocheck’s snap shot in front of the net on a feed from Andrei Svechnikov beating Spencer Knight.
Knight only faced three shots on that extended penalty kill, with the skaters in front of him spending most of the time clearing pucks out of the defensive zone. Florida also had a pair of breakaway opportunities of their own in that stretch.
“They did a great job,” Knight said. “They’re always digging. Sometimes that makes my life easier. That’s hockey. Everybody’s got to chip in where they can. My teammates are awesome. I love playing behind them. When I see them blocking shots, it makes me just want to do whatever I can to help get a win.”
Carolina also scored on a Jesper Fest snap shot earlier in the period.
Duclair added an empty-net goal with less than a minute in the third period to cap scoring and his four-point effort.
Knight stopped 30 shots and was perfect in the first and third periods to improve to 4-0-1 on the season.
“He’s been great all year,” Brunette said. “And again, for that kid, nothing surprises me. I’m not sure I’ve seen that a kid at that age as good as he is. Pretty impressive. Again, thrown into a tough situation and he handles himself.”
And remember, the Panthers pulled this off without their captain and star center Barkov, who was a late scratch with a lower-body injury. Brunette said postgame he is day-to-day.
“It just kind of flared up a little bit,” Brunette said. “Thought he was ready to go, but then it flared up again getting ready for the game.”
With the Panthers also without centers Bennett and Joe Thornton, both of whom are on injured reserve, Florida’s center depth was tested and its forward lines were reconfigured.
Eetu Luostarinen moved up to the top line to center Carter Verhaeghe and Duclair.
Lomberg entered as the Panthers’ 12th forward and played left wing on the fourth line with Mason Marchment at center and Hornqvist at right wing.
Another change in the Panthers’ forward lines: Rookie center Lundell is played on the second line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Owen Tippett, while Sam Reinhart centered Vatrano and Maxim Mamin on Florida’s third line.
“It’s fun to see the growth in the group,” Brunette said. “Obviously we’re missing some guys and [that provides] some opportunity for other guys. Those guys really grabbed the opportunity.”
Lundell also took on the bulk of Barkov’s special-team responsibilities, playing on the top power play unit and finishing second in shorthanded time on ice.
“Today felt pretty good — or really good,” Lundell said. “We had a good win.”
This story was originally published November 6, 2021 at 8:40 PM.
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