The Florida Panthers can’t seem to catch a break, nor can they seem to make any for themselves. One might think that if it weren’t for bad luck, the Panthers would have no luck at all. After staging a late comeback Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils, the Panthers fell 55.5 seconds shy of gaining a least a point or a full two points in a shoot out.

New Jersey dominated through the first 2 periods of play Wednesday night. The Devils scored 2 goals on their first 12 shots in the 1st period, netting goals at 5:33 and 18:24 to finish the 1st period up 2-0. New Jersey would continue its dominance in the 2nd period, not allowing a Florida shot on a goal until 12 minutes had passed. After a scoreless 2nd period the Panthers came out fighting in the 3rd.

Late goals from Jay Bouwmeester and David Booth at 17:41 and 19:52 would set the Panthers even with the Devils at 2-2 just before the end of the game. Sadly, the effort would all be for not as the Devils would score in overtime with just 55.5 seconds left to leave South Florida with a 3-2 win and the full 2 points possible from the game.

Florida can’t seem to string together any wins this season and are struggling to capitalize on good play when they have it. Wednesday night the Panthers outshot the Devils 38-37, and erased a 2 goal deficit in the final 3 minutes of the game, only to lose in overtime. The Panthers power play continues to struggle as they were 0-5 tonight. The goaltending situation seems to be a sore spot as well as again tonight coach Peter DeBoer pulled starter Tomas Vokoun in favor of backup Craig Anderson.

It is still early in the NHL season, but the Panthers look disheveled and downright lost at times. A drastic change may be necessary to right the ship this season, whether it is in personnel or coaching.