Speaking before Tuesday`s opening game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt offered his perspective on the series.
“I believe the entire series will largely depend on which defense corps is quicker at moving the puck to their forwards,” Schmidt commented. “There are many other elements in this series, such as special teams and other factors, but the critical underlying aspect will be whether we can deliver the puck to our players faster than they can to theirs.”
If you`re searching for a primary reason—beyond the exceptional performance of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky—why the Panthers currently hold a 1-0 series advantage, their consistent ability to successfully exit their own zone and get the puck to their forwards is it.
This is particularly challenging when facing the Hurricanes, who are known for their relentless three-man forecheck and aggressive defensemen who pinch hard along the boards. For a team that aims for controlled zone exits, it`s easy to fall victim to their pressure by attempting passes into the trap. Merely flipping or chipping the puck out isn`t necessarily a more successful strategy either, especially if defensemen and forwards aren`t perfectly coordinated.
Tristan Blackwood