The Florida Panthers have their first winning streak of the season. So what if it is only 2 games, it is an important two games. First, its better than a two game losing streak and second, it breaks their win-loss-win-loss trend they started the season with. Last night’s victory over the Sharks also shows the Panthers can handle adversity and take on the top teams in the NHL.

The first 2 periods of the game were action packed. The game got going quickly as San Jose scored 51 seconds into the game to go up 1-0. Giving up a goal that early can be demoralizing, but the Panthers came roaring back in the first period. Cory Stillman netted a goal 7 minutes into the period to tie the game at 1. Richard Zednik and Nathan Horton then scored 36 seconds apart (at 14:29 and 15:05) to put Florida ahead 3-1 at the intermission.

San Jose came right back in the 2nd period scoring at 11:38 and 17:37 of the 2nd period to tie the game at 3. Cory Stillman would score his 2nd of the night less then a minute later however to give the Panthers a 4-3 just before the end of the period, setting up a frantic finish in the 3rd.

San Jose managed 16 shots on goal in the 3rd period and Tomas Vokoun was up to the task of stopping all of them. Perhaps most importantly, Vokoun made a crucial pad save with 7 minutes to go in the 3rd during a San Jose power play that preserved the win for the Panthers.

Last night was a case of everything going right for the Panthers. Their big guns came to play, Stillman, Horton, and Zednik scored all 4 of the teams goals (Stillman netting 2). Keith Ballard continue to prove his value by picking up 3 assists. Most importantly the team showed perserverance and determination. Twice in the game they were stunned by the Sharks and could have let up as a result. The early goal and blowing the 2 goal lead could have been their downfall. Instead the Panthers recovered from both and got the win.  

Power play and penalty kill situations continue to cause conern though as the Panthers were 0-3 on the power play and allowed San Jose to convert on 2 of 5 of their power plays. These special teams situations need to be resolved if the Panthers want to be successful in the long run. All in all though, a much improved effort from the Panthers, the kind they’ll need if they want to end their playoff drought.