‘Got to finish’: Florida Panthers’ third-period struggles proving costly this season
.JPG "Vegas Golden Knights center Nicolas Roy (10) and right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) celebrate after left wing William Carrier (28) scored against the Florida Panthers during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)")
The Florida Panthers had a prime opportunity to potentially put away the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday and end a key January road trip on a high note.
They had a 5-on-3 power play early in the third period while nursing a one-goal lead. A goal there would give them a more comfortable cushion as they tried to hold off the top team in the Pacific Division.
They came up empty on the two-man advantage. Vegas responded by scoring three unanswered goals to beat Florida 4-2 as the Panthers wasted another game and another opportunity to keep pace as they try to climb into playoff contention during the second half of the regular season.
“We’ve got to finish,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said told reporters in Vegas after the game. “When you’re on the road, you’ve got to finish your 5-on-3 when you get a chance and you have to finish on your chances.”
It’s the latest instance of a recurring theme for the Panthers this season.
While players are talking about the importance of the team finding its identity, the Panthers need to start figuring out how to win the third period.
They gave up three more goals in the final 20 minutes of regulation on Thursday, swinging a 2-1 lead into the 4-2 defeat.
Florida (19-20-4) has now been outscored 64-46 in the third period this season. The 64 third-period goals allowed is tied with the Montreal Canadiens for the most in the NHL. The 46 goals scored is tied for the 15th fewest in the league.
On Thursday, Vegas tied the score three minutes after killing off the two penalties that resulted in Florida’s failed 5-on-3 power-play attempt. Jack Eichel slipped past the Panthers’ defense in the neutral zone, sakted toward the net unopposed and fired a wrist shot past Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to make the score 2-2 with 11:23 left in regulation.
William Carrier scored Vegas game-winning goal from up close with 2:36 left in regulation, with the puck going in after he and Panthers Montour collided with Bobrovsky. The Panthers challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal stood because Montour initiated the contact. An empty-net goal capped scoring.
“A couple minor breakdowns,” forward Sam Reinhart said, “and they made us pay.”
It put a muted end to what could have been a solid road trip. Florida beat the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche on this run and lost to the Dallas Stars heading into the road trip finale against the Golden Knights.
Instead of a chance to win three of four games on this road trip, Florida ultimately split the four contests and gained just four of a possible eight points.
“It does not help our frustration right now,” Reinhart said. “This was a big opportunity for us and it is unfortunate we didn’t get anything out of it. But there is an identity we are forming and that belief is coming back into this locker room and that is a big part.’’
The Panthers remain six points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins (who have played three fewer games) for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
“It hurts right now,” Panthers captain and star center Aleksander Barkov said. “I think we played better than the result was. Of course, they have a good team and good players. If you give them chances, they’re going to capitalize.”
And it won’t be long until the Panthers are on the road again. They host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday at FLA Live Arena before playing three more games on the road — Monday at the Buffalo Sabres, Tuesday at the Toronto Maple Leafs and Thursday at Montreal.
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