Since Dec. 4, Florida ranks fourth in goals per game (3.75) and 13th in goals against per game (2.75). The power play is 18th (19.2 percent), and the PK has jumped to first (92.9 percent).
What has changed? Coach Paul Maurice pointed to the return of Luostarinen, because that made the number of injuries more manageable. Verhaeghe, who leads Florida with 11 points (seven goals, four assists) over the past eight games, said you try to find your identity each season, and the Panthers have begun to find theirs.
“I think we just know how hard it’s going to be,” he said. “It’s not going to be pretty plays every night. I think we’re comfortable playing in tight games. Yeah, I think we’re not expecting much. We’re just going in and just trying to play the right way every night.”
Center Anton Lundell said the Panthers have been better with their details
“It’s a long season, so whatever happens, you’ve got to reset and kind of move forward,” he said. “That’s been our mindset as well. We want to improve our game. We want to improve ourselves. But at the same time, we want to build our game, and I think we’ve taken some steps forward. There’s obviously still some things we can do even better, but I think we’re on the right track and just got to keep going.”
Tkachuk is projected to return around Christmas, although he has not begun practicing with the team. The Winter Classic is coming, and so is the halfway point of the regular season. The playoffs are not as far away anymore. Maurice called it “the light at the end of the tunnel,” making it “easier to get fired up for games.”
“It’s just staying in the fight,” Verhaeghe said. “That’s kind of our mentality, just trying to stay in the fight. … Hopefully, we can keep on getting wins and get into a playoff spot.”