Happy Halloween! I’m gonna try to make this a series where I write an article, looking at the Panthers after every 5-7 games, with articles coming out every two to three weeks. Basically I’m gonna try to fit one observation per game. Anyway, here are six more observations that I’ve taken from Games 6-11.

Observation #1: Welcome to the Machine– Ever since the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Panthers have largely looked like an unstoppable machine. The machine has had its hiccups from time to time, but the Panthers have mostly just gone humming along. The extent of this machine is showing off its full potential as the Panthers have got off to an excellent start to the 2024-25 campaign with a 7-3-1 record, including a 6-1-1 record in their last eight games. With the exception of a horrific 5-1 loss to Minnesota, the Panthers have been humming along in their last eight games, taking no prisoners, as they seek to clinch back to back Stanley Cups. Even more impressive is that the Panthers have done this with significant injuries, as the Panthers have totaled 30 man games lost this season, with 13 of them coming from Captain Aleksander Barkov and Alternate Captain Matthew Tkachuk. Will this be a jinx? Probably. All I know is that we are in the best stretch of Panthers hockey over the last 18 months we’ve ever had, and just keep enjoying it is all I’m gonna say.

Observation #2: Faceoff Struggles– The loss of Barkov has probably seen its largest impact on the Panthers in the faceoff circle. The Panthers are second to last in the NHL at winning the dead puck at the time of writing, averaging 44.3% in the circle. The Panthers have only had the advantage in the circle in two of their eleven games so far. Only two players on the roster are above 50% in the circle- Aleksander Barkov, who’s only played three games sits at 60% and Anton Lundell at 52.1%. Other regular centers such as Sam Bennett (44.1%), Jesper Boqvist (41.3%) and Patrick Giles (29.8%) are struggling immensely in the circle, although it is worth noting that Giles has been converted to center from the Right Wing. Last season, the Cats ranked 11th in the league in the faceoff circle. The loss of Kevin Stenlund, who currently leads the league in faceoff percentage for Utah has been felt here, but overall it hasn’t really had a massive impact on the Panthers, as the Cats are 1-0-1 when they win the faceoff battle and 6-3-0 when they lose it. However, the Panthers are not satisfied with mediocrity in any aspect of their game, and this will likely be a point of contention Paul Maurice will have his centers look to improve over the course of the season.

Observation #3: How are the New Guys Doing– The reality of winning the Stanley Cup is that unfortunately you cannot keep everyone together, and the Panthers experienced this during the offseason. However, early returns from new signings have been largely positive. Jesper Boqvist and AJ Greer are fitting in seamlessly into Paul Maurice’s system, and have done an excellent job supplementing the forward core with depth options. Despite being a rookie, Patrick Giles’ game fits the Panthers system like a glove, and although he’ll likely be flying into Charlotte from Helsinki, this almost certainly won’t be his last time with the big boys this year. Mackie Samoskevich finally got on the scoresheet, with a highlight reel wrap around for his first goal against the Islanders. However, Maurice has seemingly put the youngster on the 4th line. It’ll be interesting to see how Maurice handles him throughout the season, and if Maurice and Zito decide what the best course of action is for the youngster’s development. Tomas Nosek missed the start of the year due to an injury, but is expected to make his Panthers debut tomorrow in Tampere, centering the 4th line. On the blueline, Adam Boqvist has probably had the roughest start to his Panthers career as a new signing. The younger Boqvist brother was given the QB job on PP1, but with Uvis Balinskis eager to prove himself, the Swede has seemingly lost his lineup spot to the Latvian, as Nate Schmidt’s veteran presence seems to favor itself more to Maurice’s system than Boqvist. As for Schmidt, to be honest, other than scoring against Buffalo, I haven’t noticed him at all, which for the most part is a good thing for a defenseman. I’ll try to keep a closer eye on the veteran over the next chunk of games.

Observation #4: Finnish Breakout– To the surprise of many, the best Finn on the Panthers roster this season hasn’t been Aleksander Barkov (because he’s only played three games). Rather its been the man referred to as Baby Barkov who has taken the spotlight. Anton Lundell has taken a while to find his identity in the Paul Maurice system, after his offense decreased from his rookie year, but rediscovered it during the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. His 14 assists and 17 points were a crucial factor in the Panthers hoisting Lord Stanley. Lundell earned himself a six year extension, and has started the season off like a bat out of hell. With Paul Maurice liking to keep two forwards together and move others around, Lundell has been paired with fellow Finn Eetu Luostarinen, and with Barkov missing eight games, the two Finns reunited with Sam Reinhart, whom they have played well with in the past. Lundell and Reinhart lit it up in Barkov’s absence, as Lundell has points in 7 of his last 8 games, and currently is over a point per game with 12 points in 11 games. As the Cats play in Finland, it will be interesting to see what the 23 year old can produce in his home country.

Observation #5: Poor Goalie Stats skewed by Outliers– The Panthers goaltending battery of Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight didn’t have the best March in terms of stats. Bobrovsky currently sports a .892 save percentage and a 2.97 GAA in 8 starts. However, this line is heavily skewed by a poor outing against Minnesota. Remove the outlier and Bobrovsky’s save percentage is a much better .909. However, that is not how statistics work. Meanwhile in 3 starts and 1 relief appearance, Spencer Knight sports a 3.03 GAA and a .898 save percentage. Knight was perfect in relief in the Minnesota game, and was solid against the Blue Jackets. Despite a rough start, Knight was solid overall in the Panthers comeback win over the Islanders, but was dreadful in his first NHL action since February 2023 against the Sabres. Removing the outlier, which is the Sabres game, Knight’s Save Percentage improves to a .917.

Observation #6: Special Teams Steady- I don’t think there is a single fanbase in the NHL that doesn’t complain about their powerplay, as usually the most successful ones are only successful like 30% of the time. Currently, the Panthers are 8th in the NHL in powerplay percentage at 24.1%, right where they finished the 2023-24 season, but they were 23.5% then. The Panthers are currently 5th in the NHL on the Penalty Kill at 87.1%, compared to 6th last season where they were 82.5%. A significant difference however is that the Panthers have been much more disciplined this season. Last season, the Panthers were shorthanded on 291 occasions or 3.55 times per game, which was the 2nd most in the NHL. This season, that has decreased to 31 occasions or 2.82 times per game, with the former being the 14th most in the NHL. If one were to read the comments on r/hockey or any Bruins fanpage, this is because the Panthers are favored by the NHL because Gary Bettman wants them to thrive, and that the Head of Officiating Colin Campbell is forcing referees to be more lenient on the Cats because his son Gregory works as an Assistant GM for the Panthers. Or perhaps its because four of the top 10 players in taking minor penalties last season have left the team and Matthew Tkachuk has barely played this season. What sounds more logical to you?