Although the Panthers are a decent 3-3 out of the gate this season, the offense is struggling and is the main reason the team has sputtered to its 3-3 record, going loss-win-loss-win-loss-win. Head coach Peter DeBoer does have a tool on his bench he should consider employing that could help jump start the production of the offense.

Forward Anthony Stewart has been a healthy scratch in 5 of the team’s 6 games so far this season, but the time has come for him to be given a chance. Stewart has proven in the past he is capable of camping out in front of the opposing net and causing trouble for the opposition. DeBoer himself has admitted Stewart is more than capable of contributing, but has said that for now veteran players are going to get their chance to produce. “”We’re not going to wait 20 games,” he said. “If they can’t do it, we’ll give someone else the chance.”

Well coach, the time has come to give someone else a chance. The Panthers are 22 of 30 in goals per game in the NHL and their power play is converting 11.1% of its chances, good for 25th in the league. Monday night’s game in Montreal should have been proof enough, the Panthers out shot Montreal 36-34 for the game, but only managed 1 goal.