The Florida Panthers’ dropped their 3rd straight game Friday night in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators. The Panthers rough stretch lately got worse tonight as the team blew a 2-1 lead in the 3rd period and eventually lost in a shootout.

After a back and forth 1st period, Nashville struck first scoring at the 16:29 mark. Their lead was short lived however as Rostislav Olesz equalized just over a minute later at 17:32. The only goal of the 2nd period went to the Panthers. Karlis Skrastins netted his 2nd goal of the season at the 11:15 mark of the period. Florida made the lead hold up the rest of the 2nd period and were doing well in the 3rd until Nashville equalized at the 9:51 mark. Both teams shut down on defense from that point on and the game stalemated, resulting in overtime. The teams managed 5 shots on goal between them in the OT and the game then headed for a shootout.

The shootout was much like the game, short on goals. Nathan Horton went first for Florida and had his attempt saved. Backup goalie Craig Anderson saved Nashville’s first attempt, but Cory Stillman had his attempt (the team’s 2nd) saved. Nashville’s 2nd attempt found the back of the net. Florida’s hopes came down to Olesz, but his attempt sailed wide.

The problems are mounting for the Panthers these days. The team is on a 3 game losing streak, the offense is stagnant (and that is putting it nicely), and after not losing a game in which they led all season, the Panthers have blown leads in the past two games.

Florida’s biggest problem remains their stagnant offense. For all the hype around Nathan Horton and new signing Cory Stillman, they are both failing to put their team on their shoulders and lead. In tonight’s game neither forward had a shot on goal, and over the course of the team’s 3 game losing streak they have a combined 11 shots on goal, just over 1 per period. The power play for the Panthers also continues to struggle, the team was 0-3 tonight.

If Florida is going to make something out of their season, the forwards are going to have to start contributing to their team on a more consistent basis, or it will be a LONG season in South Florida. Both goals tonight were scored by defenders, and Keith Ballard has been the team’s best producer this season, leading the team in assists.

On a side note, the Panthers’ newest defender, Jassen Cullimore, made his season debut tonight against Nashville. Cullimore was on the ice for 20:48 and was a -1 with 0 shots on goal.