Panthers say they’re not deterred in spite of 3-1 series deficit
The second period of Game 4 was a great example of when the Vegas Golden Knights can be at their best, and when the Florida Panthers can be at their worst.
Vegas controlled play for nearly all of the 20 minutes, stemming from a swarming defense and tenacious forecheck. Florida could barely muster any sustained offense. It let the Golden Knights extend their lead to 3-0 before Brandon Montour’s pinball goal off two Vegas skaters brought some life to the Panthers late in the period.
The Panthers can’t let that happen again. Not when they head back to Las Vegas trailing the Stanley Cup Final 3-1.
But the Panthers have faith that this series isn’t over just yet, and it comes from two areas: a one-game-at-a-time approach, plus the knowledge that they already came back in a series down 3-1 against the historically dominant Boston Bruins.
“You draw on your routine from the last time, your last experience with it,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Sunday. “There’s in some ways an advantage to the team at times that’s down 3-1 in terms of the freedom mentally that it can play with.
“Same time, you’re down 3-1 for a reason, so clearly the other team has been good. But we have some experience with us and we’ll draw on it.”
Florida registered 31 shots on goal last night, tied for the team’s second-highest in the last seven games. That number could’ve been significantly higher had Vegas not blocked an astonishing 30 shots.
It’s a legitimate problem for the Panthers, who have had no lack of offensive zone time and shot attempts. But the Golden Knights are so committed to blocking shots (61 in the last two games), that not nearly as many shots are reaching the net.
Maurice said there isn’t much that can be modified schematically at this point – specifically to generate more odd-man rushes – and thus having a greater chance to get the puck on net.
“So much of it’s just speed-based, being able to move quicker, attack with more of a singular mindset of what you’re doing so you have a better idea of where the puck is going to be,” Maurice said. “That’s the big thing.”
For now though, Panthers players say they are just taking it one game at a time, rather than staring down the suffocating 3-1 hole.
“All we can do is think about the next one,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said. “You’ve got to win four. It’s 3-1, I know. They’re one win away, we’re three wins away. All we can do is think about one game and bringing it back to Florida. That’s our goal.”
No update yet on Matthew Tkachuk
Panthers fans will have to wait another day for an update on star Matthew Tkachuk.
Maurice and Tkachuk were mute immediately after the game about whatever it was that kept him off the ice but still on the bench for half of the third period last night. Maurice didn’t have any new updates Sunday morning.
“Guys will come in for rehab here now in the next hour or two and the rest of the healthy guys will meet us at the plane, so we’ll have more for you tomorrow,” Maurice said.
Even with both teams getting two days of rest before Game 5, Maurice thinks that’s almost more beneficial for the players who are healthy instead of those who are reeling.
“It’s more important to get rest for the players that aren’t banged-up because they’re gonna have to drive this thing,” Maurice said. “Every team has got injuries at this time of year. It’s your healthy men (who) drive the bus now.
“The injured guys have probably been dealing with it for a while; they know what they can get away with, but you’re going to run when you get later into a series, certainly in our situation, you’re not going to leave Barkov on the bench very much. The guys that are feeling good, the two days will fill the tank for them.”