“We’re off our identity,” Panthers HC Paul Maurice takes BLAME for team’s poor form following fourth successive loss
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has taken responsibility regarding the team's poor performances in recent weeks.
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Panthers HC Paul Maurice (Image via Florida Hockey Now)
Following a good start to the 2024-25 campaign, the Florida Panthers find themselves in a major slump. The defending Stanley Cup champions have now lost four games in a row following a 4-1 defeat against the Washington Capitals. Head coach Paul Maurice has now taken the blame for team’s poor form.
After going 4-3-1 in their first eight games, the Panthers won their next seven games on the bounce which improved their record to 11-3-1 for the season. Since then there has been a massive turn in their fortunes.
The Panthers have lost six of their last seven games with the defeat against the Capitals being their fourth successive one. This has taken their record from 11-3-1 to 12-9-1 for the season.
In the post-match conference, the 57-year-old took the responsibility for the team’s showing in recent weeks. He claimed that the team were off their identity.
It’s nothing wrong with the team. The coach sucks in the last three weeks. Yeah, I have to re-establish a game. They do what we ask them to do. They play hard. But we’re off our identity and off our style of hockey. That’s my responsibility.
Paul Maurice said as per Florida Hockey Now
Final numbers tonight. pic.twitter.com/7u4v4p2fYb
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) November 26, 2024
A month earlier, Maurice signed a multi-year contract extension with the team. This came as a result of taking the team to two straight Stanley Cup finals.
At the moment, the Panthers are looking far different from the championship-winning side they were in June this year. Maurice will have to find a way to help his team get back on the winning track as games come thick and fast.
Panthers goaltender Spencer Knight comments on team’s four-game losing run
Following the conclusion of the 2024 Stanley Cup finals, very few would have predicted the Florida Panthers would find themselves in such a difficult position in 204-25 season. The four-game losing run has seen them fall off the perch of the Atlantic Division.
Goaltender Spencer Knight has backed his teammates to turn things around. Knight was in the net for the Panthers in the game against the Capitals. The 23-year-old made 27 saves in the game and conceded two goals.
With time running out, the Panthers pulled him out of the game and left the goal empty. This move did not work out well as they conceded two more goals to lose 4-1. In the press conference, Knight claimed that the team has “tremendous” players and needs to find a chance to get into the game.
There are going to be good games and bad games and I think it’s just trying to find ways to keep it, give your team a chance to get into it. We got a lot of tremendous players that you know, when they flip the switch they are impossible to stop.
Spencer Knight said in the post-game conference
The Cats are now second in the division standings and have a huge game against the Toronto Maple Leafs coming up. The Canadian side will enter that game with a 13-6-2 record and being top of the Atlantic Division, ahead of their opponents. Unlike the Panthers, the Maple Leafs have won their last four games in a row and will be looking to extend that run to five on Wednesday.
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Vinay Dave
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