What the Panthers need to do to get back to the Stanley Cup final

The Florida Panthers are looking like a team that has the tools to make it back-to-back championships, but what will they have to do to do it again?

With an exciting 6-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers in a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup final, the Panthers proved they still have what it takes to make another deep run this coming spring.

While there is still a lot of time between now and the postseason, Florida has many boxes being check-marked by this group, many of which were on the last season’s team. Sam Reinhart is on his way to posting another 50-goal season, Matthew Tkachuk is continuing to produce, and, despite missing a few games due to injury, captain Aleksander Barkov is still playing like one of the top players in the NHL.

One concern is the play between the pipes. Sergei Bobrovsky hasn’t been his usual all-world self. With a 2.97 goals-against average and .889 save percentage, the Vezina Trophy winner is leaving much to be desired.

On Tuesday’s edition of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Colby Cohen and Carter Hutton discuss what the Panthers need to do in order to lift Lord Stanley for a second straight season.

Carter Hutton: I think for them, it’s going to have to rely on depth. They’re going to have to have some pieces step in and play well for them, right? Especially for the Florida Panthers players that they’ve lost…and some guys that once they got in that playoff run, was so good for them. Also, trying to spot Spencer Knight in for them a little bit more. Bobrovsky’s numbers aren’t great for them this year, I don’t think he was great last night my any means, but again, a timely save late in the game that holds the lead for them, and that’s kind of what we expect from Bob, but I also think, he’s 36 years old, there’s two Stanley Cup Playoff runs. He’s going to need some time to rest and recoup and be ready to set this team straight during the playoff run.

You can watch the full segment and entire episode here…