Five Takeaways from Panthers 2-1 win over Canucks

After a 6-0 thrashing of the Edmonton Oilers, Florida was back on the ice one day later in Vancouver to take on the Canucks. 

A depleted Canucks team held their own against the star studded Panthers squad and saw a great performance in goal from their new goalie Spencer Martin.

The game ended in a shootout, where the Panthers won 2-1.

Here are tonight’s five takeaways. 

Spencer Martin stole the show 

Before tonight 26-year-old goaltender Spencer Martin hadn’t appeared in an NHL game since the 2016-2017 season when he was with the Colorado Avalanche. 

He was previously in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks, where he had five wins in his seven starts. 

All game the Panthers were firing at Martin but they only got past him once in regulation from a power play opportunity.

In his debut with the Canucks, Martin had 33 saves. He looked like he belonged in the NHL tonight and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets more games this season.

Spencer Knight stood tall

Apart from the first goal allowed on the power play, Knight gave his team a fighting chance against Vancouver. 

The 20-year-old Panthers net minder had to make a multitude of saves from high scoring areas. He also had to kill four penalties tonight. 

He didn’t have goal support from his team until the third period but his performance tonight allowed the Panthers to hold on until they could tie the game in the third and win it in the shootout.

The team looked slower than usual 

Florida has played three games in the last four days, including a back to back. Between the travel, time change and games, it looked like it hit them tonight. 

The team who is usually electric off the rush and in transition looked lethargic for most of the game. They didn’t have the same jump in their step that you would see when they are putting five plus goals past their opponent. 

There weren’t too many odd-man rushes nor breakaway chances for Florida, when they usually get a couple each game. 

They had a few spurts where they looked alive but other than that, it wasn’t the same energy you usually see from this team. 

Florida couldn’t stay out of the box 

Some of the penalties tonight were definitely questionable, but nonetheless Florida was penalized four times against Vancouver.

It didn’t help that Vancouver scored on their first PP or that the Canucks had some great chances with the man advantage.

They’ll need to clean that up before their next game against Seattle.  

The power play looked smooth

After going 3-for-5 last night on the power play, Florida brought their power play momentum to Vancouver. 

Florida didn’t get too many looks on the man advantage tonight but they looked pretty comfortable when they had the opportunity. 

The puck movement was quick, decisive and it led to good scoring chances.  Florida got their first and only goal of the game on their second power play opportunity from Vancouver native Sam Reinhart. 

The Panthers power play hasn’t been all that impressive for a large part of this season, but it has looked good as of late.