Surging Panthers ride Huberdeau, Barkov to easy win

Something’s happening here.

After Saturday’s dominant, no-doubt 4-0 win against the Detroit Red Wings, the Florida Panthers have now won six of their past nine games. And this seems, well, real. They’ve survived the start of the season, which typically buries them, and they’ve done it with star Sasha Barkov struggling to score and hyped goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky posting a goals-against-average near four.

Both, however, were exceptional Saturday on a night the Panthers were without several regulars, including Vincent Trocheck.

Barkov hasn’t admitted to an injury, but he has appeared hobbled at times. Not Saturday. He was everywhere, from faceoffs to the crease, finishing with a goal and an assist — and four of the Panthers’ 41 shots. Bobrovsky wasn’t tested much after the opening few minutes, but stopped all 22 shots he saw.

So now the Panthers have 18 points through 14 games, compared to 15 points through 14 games last season and 10 points through 14 games the season prior.

Most importantly, they seem to be grasping Joel Quenneville’s system. The coach was beaming about how “clean” they played in their own end — very few chances, even fewer Red Wings left unmarked on rebounds.

Here are a few of the tweets from the game, and after:

The Panthers are dominating the Red Wings, as they should.

Shots: 19-9

Score: 3-0

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) November 3, 2019

Been a hell of a night for Barkov.

If he was hurt, he doesn't appear so now.

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) November 3, 2019

Gorgeous one-timer goal by Huberdeau.

His 9th of season, leads Panthers.

It's 4-0. This has been an excellent overall performance.

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) November 3, 2019

Get the sense that the Panthers are starting to figure out what Quenneville wants. He praised his team after the game. This team has a chance.

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) November 3, 2019

Jonathan Huberdeau: “We want to change the culture of this organization. We want to win every game.”

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) November 3, 2019

Here are player videos:

Jonathan Huberdeau, who had 2 goals, on the 4-0 win… pic.twitter.com/PZ6kxxRptE

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) November 3, 2019

Barkov on Huberdeau… pic.twitter.com/Y6QWDBlPOC

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) November 3, 2019

And here’s a video from Michael “Dutch” Sonbeek, who covered the game with me for Five Reasons Sports.

My post game reaction to the Panthers 4-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings @5ReasonsSports https://t.co/qiQsiV17uv via @YouTube

— DutchBeek (@DutchBeek) November 3, 2019