Welcome to the Second Quarter Report Card. I  was supposed to do this last Saturday, however the bomb cyclone cancelled the Panthers-Bruins game and I was busy earlier this week. This will cover Games 21-42. Games 1-20 are covered in the link. Let’s get started

Total Record: 18-18-6 (4th in the Atlantic) 42 points; .500    Home: 10-6-3  Away:8-12-3

2nd Quarter Record: 11-7-4; .591

Goals For: 120 (2.86 GFPG)  Goals Against: 137 (3.26 GAPG)

Vs Each Division
Atlantic: 6-4-1
Metropolitan: 4-6-4
Central: 5-4-1
Pacific: 3-4-0

Stats Leaders
Goals: Vincent Trocheck (17); Jonathan Huberdeau (16);
Aleksander Barkov (14)
Assists: Jonathan Huberdeau (27); Aleksander Barkov (26);
Vincent Trocheck (23)
Points: Jonathan Huberdeau (43); Vincent Trocheck (40);
Aleksander Barkov (40)

Offense: Other than the Big 3, the offense is awful. Huberdeau, Barkov and Trocheck singlehandedly keep this offense above a D. The 2nd quarter was awful in terms of goal scoring. Evegenii Dadonov hasn’t scored since November 10th. Radim Vrbata, Jamie McGinn and Jared McCann have struggled. Nick Bjugstad has done well showing his true self. However many thought Bjugstad’s true self would be a Top 6 30 goal man. Bjugstad’s true potential is Top 6 with various inconsistencies. He has been good but not consistent. Grade: C-

Defense: The D has improved. The team is still prone to mistakes and don’t play physical. However they are playing smart and aren’t doing anything too stupid. Mike Matheson has become the team’s best defenseman. Aaron Ekblad is showing flashes of his old self. I think this is the year where Ekblad will break Garrison’s scoring record in franchise history for a defenseman however Aaron will need 10 goals in 40 games. Alex Petrovic has played well. The D is doing their job. It still makes a couple of mistakes but it is drastically improving. Grade: B-

Goaltending: The Goaltending has saved the Panthers. James Reimer is playing like a legend in Roberto Luongo’s absence. Reimer has played a lot however the bye week is coming up so he has time to recharge. Harri Sateri was solid in Minnesota. The goaltending is the team’s strongest strength and no changes are needed. Grade: A+

Powerplay: Very inconsistent and can’t seem to get the job done. Needs improvement. Grade: F

Penalty Kill: The team’s penalty kill has finally settled down. They are slowly climbing the ranks of the PK leaders. Add in a league leader in shorties and this team’s PK is excellent. Grade: B

Overall: C+