The Panthers are in trouble

So far, the 2022-2023 season is considered a failure for the Florida Panthers.

Heading into the Tuesday night NHL showdown, the team that won the President’s Trophy in 2021-22 was 11 points out of last place to qualify for the conference playoffs. 4.

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However, the Panthers players aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.

“All of our games become games we have to win,” said forward Sam Bennett, whose comments were quoted by the NHL website. We need a good streak and regain our confidence. If we succeed, I really like our chances.”

“We’re going to play one game at a time and we can’t look too far ahead, because it’s going to take too long.”

Florida’s organization decided to make big changes last season, after being swept in four games by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the playoffs. The Panthers traded forward Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman McKenzie Wegar, and prospect 2025 first-round draft pick Matthew Tkachuk. They also hired head coach Paul Morris.

But Tkachuk lives up to expectations, being the team’s top scorer with 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points in 38 games.

“I totally believe in us and we have a great group,” he said. Our record does not show how well we played this season.

tough trip

The Panthers are not fooled and know that they will have to make a great January to resume their campaign. However, this will not be facilitated by the calendar, because the club will play seven of its next nine matches on clashing arenas.

“We’re in a mentality where we treat all our games as playoffs,” Morris said. You’re never going to be 16-0 in the playoffs, and we don’t expect to win all of our games. [pendant le prochain mois]. It’s one of the toughest rides I’ve seen in the NHL. However, we will have to win more than we lose.

By the end of the month, the Panthers will have to face the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins, among others. These formations have all been very successful since the start of hostilities in 2022-2023.