Panthers’ history of responding to blowout losses and Monday’s practice bode well for Game 5
Based on the Florida Panthers’ practice on Monday, it’s difficult to tell the team is coming off of an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday.
Practice was energetic. There was an abundance of hoots and hollers as skaters and goaltenders alike traded scores, stops and saves during team drills.
Although there were few positives in Saturday’s loss, the Panthers have an air of excitement around them heading into Game 5 on Tuesday, where they’ll have a chance to clinch a franchise-first Stanley Cup at home.
“It’s exciting. Since you’ve been a kid, you dream of being in this situation we are in right now,” right wing Vladimir Tarasenko said of the Panthers 3-1 lead in the series. “It’s a good time to be alive.”
Panthers coach Maurice said while he would’ve liked to clinch the title on Saturday, the team is embracing the experience of an offensive outburst from the Oilers.
“I think we needed to go through that experience. You kind of have to embrace that learning,” Maurice said. “There are things you’ve learned that you don’t get to necessarily keep. They have to be constantly tested.”
The Panthers are relearning to bounce back after a blowout loss in the playoffs, which is a lesson they’ve taken to well this postseason. The Panther clinched the series against Tampa Bay 6-1 after a 6-3 loss the game prior. After opening the series against Boston with a 5-1 loss, the Panthers followed up with a 6-1 win in Game 2.
The biggest bounce back will need to come from star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. He’d been lights out all series before Game 4, when he allowed five goals on 16 shots and was subsequently pulled from the game after just 25 minutes on the ice. If practice was any inclination of what’s to come, things should be OK for the veteran netminder.
Bobrovsky, 35, was a force during practice, making multiple impressive stops. The highlight was a poke check on a line rush that sent his teammates into an uproar. Maurice said Bobrovksy’s dedication to practice play speaks to his determination and relationship with the team.
“He’s not a goaltender that doesn’t want to work, that doesn’t want to see the hard shots,” Maurice said. “And the guys love that stuff. It’s the nature of the game.”
For Bobrovsky, it’s all about staying present and blocking out the noise.
“I try to stay with the moment,” he said. “Good or bad, it doesn’t matter. You just move to the next.”
Bobrovsky has a .909 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average in the playoffs. He has the highest odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for most outstanding postseason player at +105, which was boosted by his shutout performance against the Oilers in Game 1. Bobrovsky has made crucial saves all series, but he said the most important shot he’ll face is the next one.
“It’s a new game. It’s a 0-0 score,” he said.
Florida looks to finish the job Tuesday night in front of its home fans.
“It’s gonna be an awesome atmosphere,” Panthers left wing Carter Verhaeghe said. “I’m looking forward to it.”