Florida Panthers Have a Tough Battle in the NHL Playoffs
As the NHL playoffs move forward, the Florida Panthers are facing a tough battle against the Boston Bruins. In Game 3, the Panthers’ goaltender Alex Lyon was pulled after giving up three goals to the Bruins, who won the game 4-2 (Florida Hockey Now). With the series sitting at 2-1 in favor of the Bruins, it’s a do-or-die situation for the Panthers, who need to win the next game to keep their playoff run alive (The Hockey News).
But the Panthers have other battles to face beyond the playoffs. An important issue for the survival of Florida animals, including the Florida panther, is the “Path of the Panther,” a protected piece of land that is vital to their existence. Efforts to expand this area are detailed in a new documentary about the Florida Wildlife Corridor (The Washington Post).
Moving beyond the Panthers’ survival as a species, the team’s survival in the playoffs relies heavily on the performance of Aleksander Barkov. As the team’s all-time scoring leader, Barkov has one shot in the first eight periods of the series against the Bruins, which could be detrimental to the Panthers’ success (Sun Sentinel). But it’s not just Barkov’s performance that the Panthers need to worry about; the team needs to play strategically and avoid unnecessary penalties to have a chance against the Bruins (VAVEL.com).
In an effort to bolster their defense for Game 4, the Panthers have recalled Lucas Carlsson from the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers (Florida Hockey Now). But with the Bruins reclaiming home-ice advantage after Game 3, it’s clear that the Panthers have their work cut out for them (NBC 6 South Florida).
The series between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins is far from over, but the Panthers are facing a tough battle on multiple fronts. Whether it’s the team’s performance on the ice or the survival of the Florida panther off the ice, the Panthers have their work cut out for them as they fight to stay alive in the NHL playoffs.
