Panthers’ Recent Slump and Blown Leads May Have Cost Them Postseason

The Florida Panthers have been struggling mightily of late. With a record of 29-25-3, they sit eight points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with five teams ahead of them.

At this point, the Panthers may have already missed their shot at a third consecutive championship. If so, it would be the first time since the 2018-19 season that they failed to qualify for the postseason, and they could become the third team in NHL history to miss the playoffs after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups.

Big Loss to Utah Mammoth

Their struggles really began against the Utah Mammoth at home on Jan. 27, their first game back from a three-game road trip.

Nearly halfway through the period, Cole Perfetti found the back of the net to tie the game. With a little more than four minutes to go in the game, Jets star Mark Scheifele scored the game-winning goal. Three nights in a row, the team blew a lead and failed to secure even one point.

Points Stolen by the Sabres

On Monday, the Panthers hosted the Buffalo Sabres. Again, they held the lead – 2-0 nearing the end of the first period. Again, the team blew that lead. The Sabres tied it at 2-2 before the end of the first.

The Panthers scored only one more goal (in the second) en route to a 5-3 loss. This one stings as they were six points behind the Sabres heading into the game.

Two Points Against the Bruins, but Not in Regulation

On Wednesday night, the Panthers played their last home game before the Olympic break against the Boston Bruins. Entering the third period, Florida had a 4-2 lead (including two power-play goals and one shorthanded). But like before, the team failed to hold it.

The Bruins scored two goals early in the third to tie it, and the 4-4 score held up in overtime. The Panthers eventually earned the second point in the shootout to end their losing streak at four games. But given that they were chasing Boston in the standings, this was not the best outcome for the team.

Beatdown by the Tampa Bay Lightning

If the Cats were looking to start a winning streak after the Bruins game, the Tampa Bay Lightning had other plans.

On Thursday, the Panthers capped off a disastrous start to the month of February. They were bullied in a 6-1 loss that included multiple ejections, including head coach Paul Maurice, and losing goaltender Daniil Tarasov to injury.

Is it Too Late for a Panthers Playoff Push?

With 26 games left on the schedule, Florida will need a ton of help if they want to make the postseason. They will need to win the majority of their games to keep up with the point pace. They are in trouble.

The injuries that have plagued the Panthers even before this season have caused problems and inconsistency throughout the lineup. As a result, their potential three-peat season is now in jeopardy.