The Florida Panthers kick off their first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, following their first Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best team in the regular season.
It marks the team's second straight playoff appearance, following a first-round exit against the Tampa Bay Lightning last year. However, despite taking top spot in the Eastern Conference and facing a second Wild Card seed in the Capitals, the Panthers have something to prove – the team has only advanced past the first round of the playoffs once in their nearly 30-year history, being back in 1996 when they went to the Stanley Cup Final in just their third season as a team.
This year, however, the Panthers have shown more promise than ever and even in a very tough Eastern Conference playoff picture, Florida stands out. The Panthers have undoubtedly taken huge strides defensively, allowing the 12th-fewest goals against per game this season, which is a giant improvement from two years ago, when the team averaged the third-most goals against per game. However, while the improvement defensively has certainly been a game-changer for the Panthers as well, it's the team's offense this year looks almost unstoppable.
The Panthers were wildly far ahead of all other teams in terms of goals, with 337 this season. For reference, teams ranked second through fifth, being the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota, were all between 305 and 312 goals. Just looking at each of those teams, one after the other have a gifted forward group, but the Panthers left them all in the dust in terms of production.
At an average of 4.11 goals per game, the Panthers have the highest goals per game average of any NHL team in the 21st century.
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Jonathan Huberdeau reached a new level this season, tied for second in the league with 115 points. Aleksander Barkov took a step as well, scoring 39 goals and 88 points in just 67 games, a pace of 48 goals and 108 points per 82 games. Sam Reinhart also proved to be an excellent offseason addition, scoring at more than a point-per-game pace, while Claude Giroux has been on fire since joining the Panthers, managing 23 points in 18 games since the trade.
‘Secondary scoring' isn't even a fair label for the other forwards who can produce as well, with Mason Marchment, Anthony Duclair, Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe each scoring at a pace of at least 25 goals and 55 points per 82 games, with Anton Lundell just below that goal pace and adding 44 points in 65 games in just his rookie season as well. It makes for an unbelievably dangerous offense and statistically the most threatening top-nine group in recent memory. Even depth forwards in Patric Hornqvist, Eetu Luostarinen, Ryan Lomberg, Joe Thornton, Noel Acciari and Maxim Mamin mean the Panthers can put together an offensively capable bottom line.
It's not just the forward group producing either, given that their defense group will help to add offense as well. Aaron Ekblad is injured but could return in the first round against the Capitals and has averaged nearly point-per-game numbers this season. Mackenzie Weegar also added 44 points this year, while Gustav Forsling and Brandon Montour each had 37 points (with Forsling doing it in just 71 games). Meanwhile, the likes of Ben Chiarot and Radko Gudas aren't going to add much offense, but they'll be key defenders for a potential run.
The team's power play will also be a huge threat, ranking fifth in the NHL this year and operating at 24.4 percent. Given the threats Florida has at its disposal, the Capitals and potentially any later opponents will have a tough time if they start taking penalties.
Especially given Sergei Bobrovsky's resurgence, the Panthers have a well-rounded roster heading into the postseason. That said, it's their offense that's going to be a difference-maker for them and could result in a very deep playoff run. While some teams have playoff experience, a high-end starting goalie or other assets that make them a threat, the Panthers have the ability to outscore any issues. With Florida's top nine in particular, no matter who's on the ice, they'll have a chance to convert.
The Panthers invested a ton into this season, trading away several first-round picks and other quality prospects to give themselves the best chance at success this year. While it was certainly a gamble, the good news is that Florida enters the playoffs with an extremely promising group and as the most dangerous offensive team. It's not like they have to rely on just a few players either, and while the likes of Barkov and Huberdeau have been dominant this season, the Panthers are far too deep of a team to have all the pressure on just a couple of players performing.
Given how dangerous the Panthers are offensively, it'll be hard to bet against them no matter who they face in their playoff run. While there are far too many quality teams in the East to really make any solid predictions as to who's going to come out on top, Florida's dynamic offense leaves them as legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
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