Panthers upbeat regardless of OT loss in Recreation 2 of Japanese Convention Remaining – NHL.com

Say ‘we go residence and we refocus’ with collection towards Rangers tied
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NEW YORK — In fact the Florida Panthers would like to have taken a 2-0 lead within the Japanese Convention Remaining.
“The aim is to win each recreation, proper?” Panthers coach Paul Maurice stated. “Prefer to win each.”
Regardless of not doing so, the Panthers stated they’re content material to go residence with a cut up after the New York Rangers’ 2-1 time beyond regulation win in Recreation 2 at Madison Sq. Backyard on Friday.
The truth that they have been on the cusp of a stranglehold, one shot away, isn’t disheartening.
Sure, that they had alternatives. 
Maurice stated that they had seven or eight high-quality possibilities, which is excessive for his crew. Aleksander Barkov hit the put up from in shut with the sport tied 1-1 late within the second interval. Ryan Lomberg had a very good probability early in time beyond regulation, however goalie Igor Shesterkin flashed his glove to deal with it. 
There was a swagger from the Panthers as the sport went into the additional interval.
They’d received 11 straight Stanley Cup Playoff video games determined in time beyond regulation, together with two of their four-game sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes within the convention remaining final season and one within the 2023 Stanley Cup Remaining, once they misplaced to the Vegas Golden Knights in 5 video games. 
However the regulation of averages got here residence to roost when Rangers ahead Barclay Goodrow scored at 14:01 of time beyond regulation, his 40-foot snap shot beating Sergei Bobrovsky, who had been good all through the sport.
Afterward, it was exhausting for Maurice to select a lot to be bitter about.
“I’m superb with tonight,” he stated. “You shouldn’t are available in and beat the Presidents’ Trophy crew twice in their very own constructing. You actually shouldn’t.”
FLA@NYR ECF, Gm2: Goodrow fires it in for Rangers time beyond regulation win
They didn’t defeat the Rangers twice, however they’ve put a scare into them heading into Recreation 3 at Amerant Financial institution Area on Sunday (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS, CBC).
“That’s the playoff hockey,” stated Bobrovsky, who completed with 28 saves. “Our guys labored actually exhausting. It’s a decent recreation, a one-goal recreation. We [need] to maintain going.”
The Panthers say they count on one other robust recreation, low-scoring and hard-hitting, judging by what they’ve seen.
“I believe that’s what occurs if you get the 2 greatest groups within the convention,” Florida ahead Carter Verhaeghe stated. “It’s going to be a battle. They’re taking part in exhausting protection, we’re taking part in exhausting protection. It’s a wrestle to get possibilities.”
The Panthers, although, have been higher for longer stretches throughout the primary 134 minutes.
Florida shut out New York in Recreation 1, a 3-0 win Wednesday, and allowed one aim in regulation in Recreation 2, when the Rangers got here out flying and scored first on a tic-tac-toe play that was completed by Vincent Trocheck at 4:12 of the primary interval.
By means of two video games, the Panthers have trailed for a complete of 13:57. They’ve killed all six energy performs the Rangers have had and scored on one among their very own 5 energy performs: the tying aim by Verhaeghe at 18:09 of the primary interval Friday.
It was the eighth aim in 13 video games this postseason for Verhaeghe, which leads the crew. He had seven final postseason. 
For the reason that begin of the 2023 playoffs, Verhaeghe has 15 objectives in 34 video games. Edmonton Oilers middle Leon Draisaitl (22) and Florida ahead Matthew Tkachuk (16) are the one gamers with extra throughout that span. 
Bobrovsky has stopped 52 of 54 pictures within the collection.
“They’re a very good crew and we didn’t count on to win each recreation,” Verhaeghe stated. “They got here out robust, however we received the cut up. We go residence and we refocus.”
ECF, Gm2: Panthers @ Rangers Recap
As a coach, Maurice stated he thinks the video games might turn into extra open because the collection goes on.
“[There is] higher ability on each groups than the performs which might be being accomplished,” he stated. “I believe it’s a little bit of a problem on the market proper now.”
However as a fan, Maurice stated he likes the video games thus far.
“Two actually good goaltenders at every finish,” he stated, “Like I stated, it’s an thrilling collection, it’s thrilling hockey. A lot of hits, numerous motion. It’s been nice.”
🔹 New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
🔹 Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

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