Florida Panthers rebound at home with 3-1 win over Los Angeles Kings - NHL Update
Home is where the Florida Panthers seem to be most comfortable and that confidence was in full display as Florida’s offence got over its recent slump to beat the visiting Los Angeles Kings by 3-1 on Thursday, February 9, 2012.
The Panthers lost their last two games, both on the road, and entered this game on the back of a 4-0 shutout at the hands of Washington Capitals.
However, as soon as they entered the BankAtlantic Center, Panthers changed into a completely different beast.
Florida looked much more assured in defence and with the Los Angeles Kings' offence struggling to score recently, Panthers took full advantage to run out as 3-1 winners.
The win puts Florida back among the top-tier in the Eastern Conference as they bounced back from ninth in the standings, after the defeat to Washington, back up to third.
"I felt it was an important game. It was a really key game for us tonight, but more than that we need to stay relevant," Panthers' coach, Kevin Dineen said. "We want to stay part of the picture."
For the Kings, it was much more of the same with the only difference being that goaltender Jonathan Quick did not save them once again.
Quick was pulled by coach Darryl Sutter after the second period for no specific reason to be replaced by Jonathan Bernier.
"No big deal, just something different," Sutter said.
Right winger Dustin Brown though felt that the Kings' similar failings in offence are costing the team dearly and they should find some way to get over the slump fast.
"It's more of the same for us, we've got to find ways to score more goals."
The game remained equal in the first period even though Los Angeles outshot their hosts 11-5.
The deadlock was finally broken in the second period.
Florida took a 1-0 lead at 4:52.
Marcel Goc’s good work got the puck close to the Kings' goal, but the centre lost control and by a stroke of good fortune, the puck came towards Sean Bergenheim whose slap shot rushed past Quick.
Panthers made it 2-0 at 17:14 with Mike Santorelli scoring his seventh of the season.
Quick was then pulled by coach Darryl Sutter for the start of the third period.
The Kings pegged back Florida’s lead to a single goal at 17:32 through Drew Doughty, but there was no comeback as Florida made it 3-1 in the final minute through Matt Bradley.
Florida will look to maintain its position near the top of the Eastern Conference when they travel to face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, while the Kings will go to New York to face the Islanders.
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