Panthers Searching for First-Period Spark, But Still Finding Ways to Win
The Florida Panthers have been grinding through January with a record that doesn't quite match the narrative their early-game numbers suggest. On paper, their first-period production has been underwhelming - just seven goals in 13 games this month. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a team that’s managing to stay competitive despite slow starts and key injuries.
Let’s start with the obvious: scoring seven first-period goals across 13 games isn’t ideal. The Panthers have only grabbed the initial lead in four of those contests and have been outscored 12-7 in the opening frame. That’s not the kind of stat you want to hang your hat on - especially for a team with postseason ambitions.
But here’s the twist: Florida has still managed a 7-6 record in that stretch. And it’s not like they’ve had the luxury of home cooking either - nine of those 13 games have come on the road. That’s where context matters.
Injuries have played a role, too. Seth Jones went down early in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2, and Brad Marchand followed him to the injury list just days later in Toronto.
That’s two major pieces missing from the lineup during a crucial stretch. The good news?
Both Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk are back in the mix now, giving the Panthers a much-needed boost up front.
“Two of our elite forwards just came back in the lineup,” head coach Paul Maurice said. “That has something to do with it.
We are playing tight games. We have been on the road, so they are going to get the match.
We play them tight and I think we’re 14-6 in our last 20 road games. [Utah] was a bit of a road game for us because we’re back on a plane tomorrow.”
Maurice isn’t wrong. The Panthers have been in a lot of close games lately, and while the first-period scoring hasn’t been there, the overall play has been stronger than the numbers suggest.
In those 13 games, Florida actually outshot opponents 114-94 in the opening frame and held a shot advantage in nine of them. That tells you they’re controlling possession and generating chances - they’re just not cashing in early.
And when they do strike first, the results speak for themselves. The Panthers are a perfect 4-0 this month when scoring first, and 3-0 when leading after one.
Zoom out to the full season, and those trends hold: 18-4-2 when scoring first, 12-2-1 when leading after the first period. That’s a team that knows how to protect a lead - they just need to find more ways to get one.
The flip side? When trailing after one, Florida is 0-5 this month and 3-15 on the season. That’s a tough hill to climb, even for a team with the depth and structure the Panthers bring to the table.
Aaron Ekblad put it plainly after Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Utah Mammoth - a game where Florida fell behind 1-0 after the first period.
“We have been trying to be patient,” Ekblad said. “Our game isn’t a run-and-gun game and it’s not meant to score 4, 5, 6 goals. It is meant to win games by small margins that we feel that we can control.
“Obviously, we would love to score more goals in the first period, get that lead. We are pretty good at playing with a lead, but it doesn’t always go that way.”
That’s the identity Maurice and his staff have built - a team that plays within its structure, limits mistakes, and thrives in tight games. But even the most disciplined systems benefit from early momentum. And with their top forwards healthy again, the Panthers will be looking to rediscover that first-period punch.
Next up: a trip to St. Louis on Thursday to face a Blues team that handed Florida a 6-2 loss back in December. It’s a chance for the Panthers to flip the script - and maybe get out of the gate a little quicker this time.
ON DECK: GAME NO. 53
Florida Panthers at St. Louis Blues
When: Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Enterprise Center, St. Louis
TV: Scripps Sports - WSFL 39 (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), WHDT 9 (Palm Beach), LAFF 36.3 (Southwest Florida)
Streaming: Panthers+, ESPN+
Radio: WQAM, WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach), WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys), SiriusXM
Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932, NHL App
Season Series: Blues lead 1-0 (Blues won 6-2 in Florida on Dec. 20)
Last Season: Panthers won both meetings
All-Time Series: St.
Louis leads 28-15-1, with 3 ties
Up Next: Saturday vs. Winnipeg Jets, 4 p.m. ET