Rookie goaltender steals the show in the Golden Knights’ win over the Panthers: 5 key takeaways

Panthers Suffer a 7-2 Loss Against Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final

The Florida Panthers were defeated 7-2 by the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. After winning four of their last five games at home, the Panthers will head back to Sunrise and are still confident they can make a comeback in the series. However, they must overcome several obstacles to do so. As we examine five takeaways from Monday’s game, we find some recurring issues that the Panthers must address if they are to claw their way back into the series.

1. Penalties and Power Plays

The Panthers and the Golden Knights combined for the second-most penalty minutes in the history of the Stanley Cup Final, with 148 penalty minutes in total. Unfortunately, 84 of those penalty minutes were attributed to the Panthers. While they have a reputation as a physical team, the Panthers must exercise greater discipline while playing on the edge. In comparison, the Panthers have gone 0-for-7 on the power play, while the Knights have scored twice with the extra attacker.

2. A Hill to Climb for the Panthers

Goalie Adin Hill has been the standout player for the Golden Knights throughout the playoffs. In Game 2, he turned aside 29 of 31 shots, making crucial saves in the first period, including six straight when the Panthers were on the penalty kill, before Vegas made it 2-0. In the series thus far, Hill has saved 3.02 goals above expected. While the Panthers managed to score twice in the third period, they will need to find more ways to rattle Hill and score goals to turn the series around in their favor.

3. Lundell’s Quick Strike

Anton Lundell scored the Panthers‘ first goal of Game 2, firing in a rebound from a shot by Anthony Duclair. Lundell has been a consistent scorer throughout the playoffs, with nine points in 18 games. He has also been strong in the faceoff circle, winning 50% of the faceoffs in Game 2. Head coach Paul Maurice commended Lundell’s contribution, stating that he is an essential part of the team.

4. Off the Rush

The Golden Knights have been efficient at generating offense during counter-attacks, with players like Ivan Barbashev, Jonathan Marchessault, and Jack Eichel consistently causing problems for the Panthers. However, Maurice believes that the Panthers can handle the Knights’ rush game, as they have dealt with other teams with similar styles of play in the playoffs. The Panthers must tighten their positioning and prevent the Golden Knights from getting too much space to execute their plays.

5. Update on Radko Gudas

The Panthers lost defenseman Radko Gudas early in the game after he was hit in the head by Barbashev. Gudas, who leads the playoffs with 81 hits, has been an essential part of the Panthers defense in the playoffs, with three assists and 30 blocked shots. His injury could be a significant loss for the Panthers. However, Maurice said the team would provide an update on his condition after Wednesday’s practice.

Editorial and Advice

The Panthers‘ loss on Monday highlighted several issues that they need to address if they are to make a comeback in the series. Firstly, they need to maintain discipline and avoid conceding too many penalties, which could allow the Golden Knights to score power-play goals and control the game. Secondly, they must find ways to score against Hill, who has been exceptional throughout the playoffs. While Lundell’s contribution has been vital, the Panthers need more of their top forwards to step up and score goals.

Additionally, the Panthers must handle the Golden Knights’ rush game better, tightening their positioning, and preventing them from making dangerous plays. Finally, the injury to Gudas could be a significant blow to the Panthers‘ defense, and they would need other defensemen to step up and fill the void if he is unable to return to the series.

Ultimately, the Panthers must believe in their ability to overcome adversity and remain confident that they can still win the series. They should view their recent success in turning around a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins as proof of their resilience and determination. As they head home to play Games 3 and 4, they must utilize their home-ice advantage and produce a strong showing, demonstrating to the Golden Knights that they are still in the series.