3 Takeaways: Panthers Loss to the Blackhawks – 10/25/22

Welcome to Full Press Hockey’s Takeaway series on the Florida Panthers. After each Panthers game of the 2022-23 season, our Florida Panthers beat writer, Alex Slemp, will recap the game and give you his three biggest takeaways from the matchup. Today we will have a look at the Florida Panthers’ loss vs the Chicago Blackhawks. You can follow more of his work on the Florida Panthers here, and also tune into his podcast where he talks the latest on all things Florida Panthers.

It was not the start the Florida Panthers were looking for to begin their two-game road trip.

Panthers fail to take advantage of favorable matchup vs Blackhawks

What looked like a lopsided matchup on paper, was anything but on the scoreboard. The Panthers failed themselves with a lack of execution and missed opportunities throughout the game. And as a result, they suffered a 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

After falling behind by two in the first period, the Panthers were gifted five straight power plays to start the second period. This included one double minor AND a five-on-three for almost an entire two minutes.

They would convert on zero of them.

The Panthers eventually got on the scoreboard in the third to start the rally. 

Two quick goals from Eetu Luostarinen and Matthew Tkachuk got the Cats to within one, but Jonathan Toews iced it with an empty netter after beating Sam Reinhart to a loose puck in their own end.

When you look ahead at the calendar to start the year and see this matchup, as a Panther you are thinking of having a very different outcome. A notion that wasn’t lost on Tkachuk after the game, “I don’t think we took these guys lightly” Tkachuk exclaimed, “But it just shows you that every team can beat anybody on any given night”.

Tkachuk, who finished the game with one goal and was a minus two, would add that all the Panthers can do is, “…learn from it”.

And learn from it they will. It is still early in the season and there are areas of their game to iron out. 

Here are three takeaways from the Panthers vs Blackhawks matchup last night.

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Broken record

It is now four straight articles where we’ve pointed out the power play. But until there is a different outcome, we are going to be here talking about it.

The Panthers failed to convert on the man advantage despite being gifted a plethora of opportunities in the middle frame. They finished the night 0-6 on the man advantage.

The Blackhawks found themselves playing undisciplined hockey to start the second and it resulted in a parade to their penalty box. In the first 10 minutes of the second, the Cats had five straight power plays, including a long five-on-three. 

What was different about last night’s power play, as opposed to the previous three games, was that there weren’t many scoring chances generated. 

In their previous games, you could chalk up the inability to score on just poor “puck luck”. There were plenty of chances and the power play unit looked good. 

But in last night’s game, the power play looked anything but good.

Credit to the Blackhawks penalty killers. They are a feisty bunch that applies pressure quickly. The Blackhawks had a remarkable four shorthanded goals through five games before coming into this one. 

That quick pressure rattled the Panthers’ power play unit. They struggled to gain the zone and when they did, they couldn’t get set up.

When asked about the power play after the game, Tkachuk felt there were “too many one-and-dones”, referring to the fact the Panthers couldn’t maintain control and pressure.

And he’s right. Despite Aleksander Barkov’s face-off brilliance in the offensive zone and giving the Panthers possession right away, the players couldn’t hold onto the puck.

But it seems to be a “simple” fix, according to the Panthers assistant captain. Tkachuk further stated, “…we need a shooter’s mindset, with guys to the net…we have lots of talent out there”.

They certainly do. The Panthers will hope to buck that trend soon as they currently sport their second-worst PP percentage through seven games, in franchise history.

Snake Bitten

Once again the Panthers’ top line was held scoreless. But, once again, it wasn’t for lack of opportunities.

But at this point, something needs to give.

Barkov had five shots on goal, including multiple shots just going wide of the net.

The Panthers Captain was all over the ice, driving his line and the power play unit, but just couldn’t find the back of the net. 

His results were certainly consistent with poor puck luck. And you really get the sense with him that the gates are going to burst open sooner than later.

The same, however, is hard to be said for Reinhart.

Reinhart, who had a career year with the Panthers last season, has one assist through seven games and zero goals on 19 shots.

But last night’s game was the first time you could see that, perhaps this slump is getting to him. 

Midway through the game, on a brilliant cross-ice feed from Tkachuk, Reinhart would receive a pass at the side of the net and be staring down an open cage. 

Instead of one-timing the puck, he cradled it and then shot it into the goalie’s chest. A play like that is evidence of someone who is gripping their stick a little too tightly. 

The former second-overall pick has the talent to be a point-per-game player but this is a nasty slump he is on to start the year.

Reinhart enjoyed most of his success last season playing on the third line alongside Mason Marchment and Anton Lundell. Marchment is gone to Dallas but Lundell is still there on that third line. Would revisiting that chemistry help Reinhart get out of his funk, or is it best to not mess around with the other lines which are playing very efficient hockey at even strength?

Maurice certainly wants to get his winger going, but messing around with chemistry doesn’t always yield positive results. This early in the year, Coach can probably afford to be patient.

Look toward the positives

Despite the outcome on the scoreboard, there are still some positives to take away from this game.

The Panthers’ third line of Luostarinen, Lundell, and Colin White continues to be a force. Paul Maurice was quoted after the game saying “that line, for me, was solid all night”.

He further credited that line to sparking the bench and bringing it more life, after Luostarinen’s third-period tally. 

The Panthers’ bench boss also praised the compete level of his players. Despite being down three goals and missing countless opportunities on the power play, they continued to fight.

“That was the one bright spot in our game. They don’t quit” Maurice said after the game. “They have a real belief they can come back and win those games, and rightfully so”.

The Panthers enjoyed plenty of success last season in coming from behind to win games. And that belief has clearly carried over into this season. 

Although this game won’t be one they are bragging about, there are still some positives to take away and use in their upcoming matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Up next

The Cats finish off their quick two-game road trip with a trip to the city of Brotherly Love.

The Panthers faced the Flyers just recently back in their home opener, a 4-3 win for the Panthers.

They will look to continue that success this Thursday night. Puck drop is 7:00 pm EST