Can you smell it in the air?
We’re just over a month away from playoff hockey.
Entering this week and leading the Atlantic division with a 40-21-3 record on a six-game winning streak, the Florida Panthers are shining confidently when they hit the road.
“We’re now preparing for playoff hockey,” forward Sam Bennett said. “The details are pretty sharp in the last couple game and we’ll continue to try and build it.”
Without giving up, the Panthers have only allowed one goal in the last four games.
Finishing last week with a high note, rookie Vitek Vanecek stopped all 21 shots he faced during the Buffalo Sabres’ 3-0 shutout in Saturday’s Panthers debut.
In addition to Vanecek, Seth Jones and Nico Sturm also had an immediate impact on the Panthers, who dream of a second Stanley Cup.
During a six-game winning streak, the Panthers led 20-5 on goal.
“I think we’re better than before,” defensive man Gustav Volling said of the team’s post-deadline outlook. “We have a lot of experience, there are so many great people. We feel ready. We are excited to make our final push.”
With 18 games remaining, the final push into the playoffs will continue this week in four games in four games, including three straight games with teams in the division.
The Panthers will begin their six-game trip and visit rival Boston Bruins on Tuesday. They then head to Canada to face the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadians on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. On Sunday, they visit the islanders of New York.
From now on, we will not let our feet go from the gas.
“You always have that energy in your own department,” Coach Paul Maurice said. “We play well enough to increase the intensity. There are a lot of teams that every game has experienced two years ago. Every game is life and death.”
To see what’s happening around territory this week or below, continue below.
game
Tuesday, March 11th: Boston Bruins – 7pm
**TV & Streaming**: Panthers+, WSFL-TV, WHDT, WFTX, ESPN+ (Out of Market) Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT-AM & 92.1 WZZR-FM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Key); Panthers App; SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
Thursday, March 13th: Toronto Maple Leafs – 7pm
**TV & Streaming **: Panthers+, WSFL-TV, WHDT, WFTX, ESPN+ (Out of Market) Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT-AM & 1 WZZR-FM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Key); Panthers App; SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
Saturday, March 15th: Montreal Canadiens – 7pm
**TV & Streaming**: Panthers+, WSFL-TV, WHDT, WFTX, ESPN+ (out of the market) Radio: 790 Waxy (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT-AM & 1 WZZR-FM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Key); Panthers App; SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
Sunday, March 16th: New York Islanders – 7:30pm
**TV & Streaming **: Panthers+, WSFL-TV, WHDT, WFTX, ESPN+ (Out of Market) Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT-AM & 1 WZZR-FM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Key); Panthers App; SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
Mixed Merchant
After making a surprising deal from the Boston Bruins before the Friday deadline, Brad Merchand was the first Panther to meet the media following Monday’s practice at the Baptist Health Iceplex.
“It’s been a whirlwind here over the last few days,” said Merchand. “It’s sad to leave the place I consider home. There are so many great memories in Boston, and there are so many incredible years there, but being part of such an incredible group is very exciting. I literally had flashbacks back to the year we won, and some of the groups we’ve had over the years saw it as incredible chemistry and incredible culture.”
After spending his entire 16-year career in Boston, Merchand produced 976 points (42 goals, 976 assists) in 1,090 career NHL games, plus 284 ratings and 1,113 penalties.
Before being traded, he ranked second with the Bruins with 47 points this season.
Stanley Cup champion in 2011, Marchand hopes to roll the cup again in Florida.
“I mean, in the end, we’re going to chase the Stanley Cup. You want the opportunity to play for that every year,” said Merchand. “I am very grateful to be part of an incredible team that is another team that has the opportunity this year.”
To see the full Marchand press conference, watch the video below.
