from Matthew de Franks of the Sun Sentinel,
Games in hand in the NHL are insurance policies, cautious cushions that can spin a host of underlying problems. They could usher in comfort when there should be none. They can welcome complacency where there should be none. But most of all, they create a condensed schedule in the season’s final month, when bodies are fatigued and minds tired.
Starting with Thursday night’s 3-0 win over the Boston Bruins, the Florida Panthers began a grueling final 24 days of the season in which the team plays 15 games. They play on back-to-back days four different times. They don’t have two days between games the rest of the way. Florida entered the day with the fewest games played in the NHL.
Behind 46 saves from backup goaltender James Reimer and goals from Aaron Ekblad, Nick Bjugstad and Vincent Trocheck, the Panthers rebounded from a loss Monday to capture their 16th win in 21 games since the All-Star break.
Florida is now three points behind New Jersey for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with two games in hand on the Devils. With Columbus’ win over Philadelphia, the Blue Jackets and Flyers are tied with 81 points for third in the Metropolitan Division. A tiebreaker means Columbus still holds the first wild card spot in the conference, four points ahead of Florida, though the Panthers have three games in hand.
Catch the highlights from the game below.
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