Florida Panthers’ defense has held its own as they wait for stars to return
The Florida Panthers knew entering the season they were going to have to weather the absence of defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour. The duo is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and likely won’t be drawing into the lineup until the end of the month at the earliest.
But the Panthers’ new-look blue line has done more than hold its own through the first month of the season.
Entering Wednesday’s road game against the Washington Capitals, just 17 of Florida’s 32 goals have come when playing at five-on-five. That’s tied with the Nashville Predators for the fifth-fewest in the NHL.
Of the other 15, 11 have come with the opponent on the power play, one came in a three-on-three overtime period, one came while playing at four-on-four strength, and three (including one with the opponent on a power play) have been when the Panthers’ net empty in an attempt to come back from a late deficit.
And that’s with five of the seven defensemen on the Panthers’ active roster — Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Niko Mikkola, Dmitry Kulikov, Mike Reilly and Uvis Balinskis — being new to the team this season. The group built chemistry early and that has led to results.
“I think everyone has just been on the same page,” Gustav Forsling, one of two healthy returning defensemen from last season’s Stanley Cup Final run, said after the team’s morning skate Wednesday. “We’ve been tight. You’ve got to take away time and space around the net. I think that’s what we’ve been good at.”
Even after allowing nine goals over the past two games — a 5-2 road loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and a 5-4 overtime home win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday — the Panthers entered Wednesday giving up an average of just 2.91 goals per game. That’s tied for the 11th-fewest in the NHL.
Florida has held opponents to three goals or fewer in seven of 11 games.
This and that
▪ Forward Jonah Gadjovich, who the Panthers signed to a one-year deal last month, has been sent to the Charlotte Checkers on a conditioning loan. Gadjovich has not played while dealing with an upper-body injury that dates back to last season.
▪ Reilly will be active on Wednesday for a second consecutive game after sitting the Panthers’ first 10 contests. Balinskis is once again the defenseman sitting out.
This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 1:38 PM.
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