The Florida Panthers are one of the best teams in hockey
Photo Source: @FLaPanthers
The Florida Panthers have been exactly what we here at the Rod Pedersen Show thought they would be, and that’s a great hockey team.
Ever since Rod’s trip to Florida, the team has been creeping its way into his heart and understandably so. The Panthers are now 11-2-3 and sit in first place in the Atlantic division.
They have also cemented themselves in Rod’s top 5 teams in the National Hockey League
Florida Panthers TV analyst Randy Moller said it is nice to finally have a team fans can be excited about, after 25 years of reminiscing on the 1996 Panthers team that made it to the finals.
“The fans are really excited about this hockey club,” said Moller. “Ever since the general manager Bill Zito has come aboard, the moves he has made, whether it’s picking guys up of the waivers, drafting, the trades that he’s made, free agent signings, and the biggest thing is they have really established a team that has a lot of depth in all positions.”
On top of having a good team, the Panthers have also dominated at home this season. Defending your home ice is always a recipe for success when it comes to ticket sales.
“It helps when you win at home and right now the Panthers are 8-0 at home,” said Moller. “If you go back to last year, the Panthers have won 18 of their last 19 home games. That brings excitement.”
The Panthers had a very strong showing on their home ice Tuesday night against the New York Islanders, winning big 6-1.
“When they get control of that puck, they can go and put up some pretty good numbers offensively and that’s a big reason why the team is right now still top of the NHL in points and winning percentage,” said Moller.
One of the biggest components of the teams successful start has been the ability to play as a unit, no matter who is on the ice.
“Their goaltending is really solid with Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight,” said Moller. “ And then the way they play with the pace, the speed and offensive talent, and with the defence that’s second in the NHL in points combined as a defence unit.”
“They are first in assists, so they really attack at a five-man system on the ice,” said Moller.
Tonight, the Panthers take on the New Jersey Devils, and look to go 9-0 in their own building to start the year.
“They have a solid team down here now and no one deserves it more than the fans,” said Moller.
“This team has a great opportunity if they can stay away from major injuries and inconsistencies. But they have shown through the first 16 games they are one of the top teams in the NHL and hopefully they can go far in the playoffs because that’s when it all matters.”
