Time is running out in a hurry for the Florida Panthers, who have hit a rough patch as they struggle to overcome a rash of injuries during a competitive Eastern Conference playoff race.
After a regulation loss in Buffalo on Monday night, the Panthers sit nine points back of the Boston Bruins for the second and final wild card spot in the East, and a four-game losing streak has done them no favors as Boston, Columbus, Montreal and Buffalo continue to rack up wins.
On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Jonny Lazarus and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed where the Panthers stand as time starts to run out on their season.
Jonny Lazarus: I still have a hard time counting out the Florida Panthers. Do you feel that way about Florida? I’m not confident saying they’re going to miss the playoffs.
Carter Hutton: Well, you know what? It feels like these last few games and a couple losses you want to highlight, right? The Buffalo Sabres ones, the late game against the Winnipeg Jets. It feels like time is starting to run out, right? Your nine points back now of the Boston Bruins for the second wild card. Tonight feels like more than ever a must win. And again, I think it is a team that can push, but this is a team that’s a year older and a little more tired because of three cup runs in a row. When you look at the wear and tear that goes into your core players playing that much extra hockey. So I I’ve never believed that I would be saying this, but it feels like the tide is turning a little bit when I look at the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres and the Wings and these younger teams that are starting to push through in the Atlantic that teams are trending in that direction. And as for other teams that I don’t think are going to turn back at this point, I think the Wings are in there. They look like a great team. I agree. The Islanders don’t feel like they’re ready. But again, that was a great win last night. So this is going to be a fun chase down the stretch as we try to figure out the new playoff format look in the East here.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…
