Florida Panthers have found success on recent West Coast swings
The Panthers are west of the Mississippi for the first time this season.
Last year, Florida did well in its three-game swing through California, winning two of three.
The Panthers hope to replicate that sort of success on this week’s trip.
Florida, which flew to Southern California following Monday’s practice, will play three times in the next five days starting Wednesday night in Anaheim.
After facing the Ducks, the Panthers fly to San Jose to take on coach Pete DeBoer and the Sharks on Thursday before heading back south to Los Angeles to play the Kings on Saturday afternoon.
“We had a pretty good road trip out there last year and we would like to replicate that this time,” center Nick Bjugstad said.
“The last couple of games haven’t gone the way we wanted, but I think we’re playing good, we’re creating chances. We just have to find ways to score because we haven’t done that. But we’re not going to panic. The West teams play a strong defensive game and don’t give you much. We have to come in ready to play.”
The Panthers have won five of their first 11 games and are in the playoff conversation after the season’s first month.
Florida has won two of its first five away from Sunrise and will be challenged this week.
Although Anaheim is off to a horrific start, the Ducks scored three goals in the first 12 minutes Sunday to beat Nashville (tied for third in the West with 16 points) for their second win of the season.
Los Angeles came into the week leading the Pacific Division with San Jose just two points back.
“Anaheim is a good team, had a rough start obviously, but they’re a good hockey team,” coach Gerard Gallant said.
“We just have to make sure we’re ready to play.”
Florida’s offense, which has just two goals in its past two games, should have leading scorer Jaromir Jagr back Wednesday.
Jagr took part in Florida’s practice Monday and is expected to be back with Bjugstad and Jonathan Huberdeau against the Ducks.
“When he’s in the lineup, it changes, he really helps our team,” Bjugstad said.
“If not, we have to find ways to step up. We have the personnel to do it if he isn’t in the lineup. But when he is, he does nothing but help us.”
GRIMALDI HOME AGAIN
Forward Rocco Grimaldi was recalled by the Panthers just in time for their West Coast trip.
Grimaldi, 22, grew up in Southern California and was called up by the team last year just in time for its game in Los Angeles.
Grimaldi famously played in a morning AHL game in San Antonio on Nov. 18, 2015, before hopping a flight to California and playing for the Panthers later that night at Staples Center.
On this trip, he’ll have a little more time to catch up with friends and family.
“I’m very happy, very fortunate that call came,’’ Grimaldi said of being recalled over the weekend. “This is an opportunity but it doesn’t mean I’m on the team for good. It depends on what I do from now on.”
Wednesday: Panthers at Ducks
▪ When, where: 10:30 p.m.; Honda Center, Anaheim.
▪ TV/Radio: FSFL; WQAM (560 AM), WMEN (640 AM).
▪ The series: Florida leads 13-11-3.
▪ Scouting report: The Ducks, considered the favorites to win the West in the preseason, have won just two of their first 11 games and have scored a league-low 14 goals. The Panthers won both meetings between the two last year by identical 6-2 scores and have won two of the past four in Anaheim.
This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Florida Panthers have found success on recent West Coast swings."