Panthers notebook: Shootout wins are good, but must learn to close out games in regulation
It may only be two games, but in back-to-back shootout victories against tough Eastern Conference opponents, the Florida Panthers look as though they've finally exorcised their overtime demons.
Following an historic 20-round shootout victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, the Panthers needed only six rounds in the skills competition to topple the Flyers on Thursday night in Philadelphia.
"I think it makes you feel real good obviously," Panthers head coach Gerard Gallant told reporters in Philadelphia. "Like I said, I think we played okay tonight. I don't think we had the jump we needed, but again it's another two points. Like you said we have two games until Christmas, and we want to battle hard and compete and get as many points as we can, and we need them."
The Panthers, who have gone past regulation a league-leading 13 times this season, improved to 5-8 in overtime and 4-4 in shootouts.
Hindered in their ascension of the Eastern Conference standings by a league-leading eight overtime losses already this season, this newfound ability to close out games in sudden death may prove be a turning point for the ever-improving Panthers.
For in these recent shootout victories, most notably Tuesday's record-setting affair, the Panthers have created their moment. A moment for players to feed off of when their backs are against the wall. A moment that the organization can look back upon as the point during the season when everything changed.
This moment, while an NHL record in its own right, may also inevitably define the Panthers season when it's all said and done.
"I think it is a jumping off point," center Dave Bolland told reporters after scoring Thursday's shootout winner. "We're learning something new every day and were teaching ourselves and with [Gerard Gallant] helping us out and I think we are learning something new every day."
Boasting a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 games, Bolland hopes that, while shootout victories are getting the job done at the moment, the team's next lesson will be in learning to close out games in regulation.
"A win is still a win," Bolland told reporters. "I think getting a win is huge, and winning is always good, but regulation ones are a lot more fun."
Right now, there are few teams in the NHL having more fun than the Panthers.
KEEPING IT CLOSE
With Thursday's 2-1 shootout victory in Philadelphia, the Panthers have now been involved in a one-goal game in 22 of 30 games this season and in 10 of their past 11.
"I mean, look around the league there are a lot of one goal games," goaltender Roberto Luongo told reporters. "The good thing is we are comfortable in those situations. I think we're finding ways to get in into overtime and get our chances in the shootout. These are the types of games we will be facing down the stretch if we want to be in it we have to find ways to win."
For the Panthers, the key to keeping games close and reaching overtime has been their ability to shut the door on opponent's when the third period rolls around.
Often reliant upon a highlight save or two from Luongo, the Panthers 19 third-period goals allowed this season is tied for the fewest in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks.
BOYES BANGED UP
Right winger Brad Boyes missed his first game of the season on Thursday with an undisclosed upper-body injury.
Boyes, 32, has registered five goals and 14 points in 29 games so far this season.
Brandon Pirri, who was a healthy scratch on Tuesday, returned to the lineup in Boyes' absence and scored in the shootout.
Veteran enforcer Shawn Thornton, meanwhile, remains out of the lineup and on the IR while recovering from a groin injury.
Thornton, 37, has notched a goal and an assist in 22 games this season.
You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.
