The Florida Panthers continued their back and forth start to the season by defeating the Ottawa Senators on the road tonight, 3-1. Back up goalie Craig Anderson got the start tonight and brought his best stuff with him, and boy did he need it.

The Panthers’ staked him to a quick 2-0 lead in the 1st period with Rostislav Olesz scoring his first of the season 4:45 into the 1st period. A mere 48 seconds later Nathan Horton scored his second goal of the season, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead.

Ottawa struck back just over 2 minutes into the 2nd period on the power play, making it a tight 2-1 game. Cory Stillman regained the Panthers’ two goal lead 12 mintues into the 2nd period. Florida had to buckle down for a rough 3rd period as Ottawa threw everything at the Panthers to try and pull even in the game. Florida was on the penalty kill for the final 3:05 of the game because David Booth was issued a double minor for high sticking. Anderson made a crucial glove save during the penalty kill to keep the Senators from getting closer and the Panthers held on for the 3-1 victory.

Wins are nice, but some of Florida’s issues were still evident in tonight’s win. The Panthers continue to struggle offensively. The team was 0-4 on the power play and the Senators outshot the Panthers 42-21, double the shots on goal. Anderson had to face 26 shots in the 3rd period alone as the Senators mounted a furious comeback attempt. The Panthers by contrast managed 3 shots on net in the 3rd. The Panthers are living dangerously, whether it is Vokoun or Anderson in net there will not be many nights where the Panthers can just sit back and absorb pressure like that without giving up a goal. The offense needs to find a way to get going and keep the puck in the opposition’s defensive 3rd.