How the Florida Panthers Are Defying the Odds and Staying Elite
Jordan Staal sat in his locker, looking absolutely stunned. Again.
The Carolina Hurricanes had just been dismantled for the second consecutive night — a rare occurrence in itself — and by the same team, no less: the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
For Staal, the Canes’ captain, the experience was nothing short of humbling.
“We got beat in every facet,” Staal admitted after the Hurricanes suffered a crushing 6-0 loss last month. “Not a whole lot of positives out of any of it.”
And it wasn’t just that game. The night before, Carolina had fallen 6-3 to the Panthers, prompting Staal to acknowledge that Florida “don’t give you anything — it’s always a battle against that team.”
Sure, it might sound like a cliché, but the rest of the NHL would likely agree. In an era where even one Stanley Cup Final run is a monumental feat, the Panthers have managed back-to-back appearances (winning one) and show no signs of slowing down, despite grueling playoff schedules and shortened offseasons.
What’s even more impressive? Florida has had to retool its roster, parting ways with key players like Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, while locking in long-term deals for stars like Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe.
Yet here they are, battling for first place in the Atlantic Division and staying on track through the first quarter of the season. How are they doing it? What’s keeping Florida from falling off? And could they make history as just the second team in nearly 40 years to reach three straight Stanley Cup Finals?
Let’s break it down.
Sam Reinhart: The Offensive Dynamo
When Sam Reinhart exploded for 57 goals in a career-best season last year, skeptics wondered if he could replicate that success. This season, Reinhart has silenced those doubts in emphatic fashion.
The 29-year-old forward is proving he’s worth every penny of the eight-year, $69 million contract extension he signed on July 1. Not only is he the Panthers’ leading scorer, but he’s also among the NHL’s top 10 with 18 goals and 34 points in 26 games. Reinhart’s relentless offensive output sets the tone for a Florida team that thrives on depth and firepower.
And it’s not just Reinhart. Aleksander Barkov has 25 points in 18 games, while Matthew Tkachuk has 23 in 21. Add in contributions from Anton Lundell (19 points), Evan Rodrigues (13 points), Verhaeghe (20 points), and Sam Bennett (24 points), and you’ve got a team that’s anything but a one-line wonder.
Florida is averaging the fourth-most goals in the league this season (3.65 per game), and their unpredictable offensive schemes make them a nightmare for opposing defenses.
“The Panthers can generate scoring in unique ways,” an Atlantic Division defenseman said. “There’s no real script with how they’ll attack. It’s tough to prepare for them.”
Paul Maurice: The Steady Hand
Behind the bench, head coach Paul Maurice has been instrumental in keeping the Panthers on track. Maurice recently became the winningest coach in franchise history with 111 victories, and his ability to motivate and adapt has been key to Florida’s success.
“It’s not about fixing,” Maurice said. “It’s [saying] okay, the problem is identified. To play that [elite] way every night is very, very difficult.”
Under Maurice’s guidance, the Panthers have shown resilience, bouncing back from a rough stretch in early November with dominant wins over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina, scoring a combined 17 goals in three games.
Areas for Improvement
While Florida’s offense is firing on all cylinders, their defense and goaltending have been less consistent. The Panthers rank seventh-worst in goals against per game (3.33), a significant drop from last season when they were second overall (2.41).
General Manager Bill Zito will likely be active at the trade deadline, seeking a right-shot defenseman to bolster the blue line. With only $2.9 million in cap space, Zito will need to work his magic to find the right fit at the right price.
Why the Panthers Are Built to Last
Despite their challenges, the Panthers have a formula for sustained success. They’re physical (third in hits per 60 minutes), opportunistic (top five in takeaways), and lethal on special teams (third on the power play at 28.4%).
Consistency is the key, and Florida has it in spades. Whether it’s their balanced scoring, gritty play, or ability to adapt, the Panthers have all the ingredients to make another deep playoff run.
As Maurice put it, “I think we’re structurally ahead of where we were in each of the last two years.”
With their eyes on the prize, the Panthers are proving they’re not just a flash in the pan. They’re here to stay — and they might just be lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup again come June.
Originally Written by: Kristen Shilton
