Lots of shots ... and losses
Panthers create chances but are disappointed
The refrain has become familiar for the Florida Panthers this season after losses. Despite outshooting their opponent and outchancing their opponent, the Panthers still came up empty.
In a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, the chorus rang again after Florida fired a season-high 52 shots on goal, but could barely dent Ducks goaltender John Gibson.
“Same story, different night,” Panthers coach Bob Boughner told reporters in Anaheim. “My message after the game was we threw everythingwe had at them, keep our heads up, we’re not getting any puck luck right now. It’s on us, too. We’vehadafewchanceson breakaways where we missed the net, or blew it over the net on some chances.”
The 52 shots on goal were the second-most in the NHL this season, though the last four teams to tally at least 52 shots all lost.
The Panthers are now 2-6-1whenrackingupmore shots on goal than their opponent. In their past two games, both losses, Florida has outshot its opponent. The Panthers also registered a season-high 88 shot attempts.
“We want to be able to capitalize on all our chances,” Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck said. “I think we’re definitely putting in the work right now, we’re getting those chances. It’s just a matter of — I don’twant to say a little bit more puck luck, but that definitely has something to do with it — and just bearing down a little more when we get those chances.”
Trocheck scored one of Florida’s goals during a second-period power play, burying a deflected puck past Gibson. It was the highlight of a Panthers’ power play that created chances and shots, but finished just 1-for-6 with the man-advantage.
The Ducks, meanwhile, capitalized on 2 of 4 powerplay opportunities.
“Our power play cashed in on one, but obviously the penalty kill, we had a bad change, it cost us,” Boughner said. “The second one was a bit of a broken play off of [Roberto Luongo’s] head and it landed right on their stick. That’s something we didn’t really get tonight.”
The Panthers’ penalty kill has been a source of frustration throughthe season’s first sixweeks. It now ranks as the second-worst unit in the NHL at 72.1 percent. Sunday’s game was the fifth time the Panthers allowed multiple powerplay goals. They have lost all five games in regulation.
The power play ranks a middling 22nd in the league at16.7 percent, and is just 4-for-29 (13.8 percent) across the last 10 games. The Panthers have lost three of the four games in which they’ve been given six power-play opportunities.
On Sunday, Florida had 12 shots on the power play, but could only score once.
“Most of the time when your PK’s doing well, it’s when your goalie is your best killer,” Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle said.
Shuffled deck
Boughner mixed up the lines on Sunday night, electing to split up the top line of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Evgenii Dadonov. Dadonov joined Vincent Trocheck and Connor Brickley on the second line, while Nick Bjugstad rose to the top line.
“I thought Bjugstad had a great game on that big line,” Boughner said. “I thought Troch’s line had some jump as well. The effect worked, I just wished to see it a little sooner. We’ll continue to tinker around.”
Jared McCann made his return from a lowerbody injury to center the third line between Jamie McGinn and Colton Sceviour.
But after the game, Boughner hinted that splitting up the top line may have been a temporary arrangement. Huberdeau, Barkov and Dadonov have combined for 59 of thePanthers’ 167 points this season.
“But at the end of the day, that big line is our big line,” Boughner said. “There’s some nights on the road on the backside of a back-to-back, things that you need to change.”