Welcome to Panthers Play of the Week! This will be a weekly column that breaks down a memorable Panthers goal from the week before.
This week’s goal will feature some intense teamwork and sheer will to put the puck in the net.
It’s December 6th and the Panthers are hosting the Buffalo Sabres. The teams are tied 2-2 as the clock winds down in the second but the period would end up having an exciting and satisfying finish (if you’re a Panthers fan).
This one starts and ends with Nick Bjugstad, who is on an absolute tear of late.
First, Bjugstad shows off his impressive board presence by winning a puck battle against Marcus Foligno. In fact, he pretty much eliminates Marcus Foligno from the play entirely.
Your puck battle skills are bad and you should feel bad.
Now, Bjugstad has his entire zone to work with as both Foligno and Drew Stafford were deep in Panthers territory. Stafford was hoping Foligno could retain possession for an attack but since Bjugstad is way better than Foligno, that didn’t happen.
Bjugstad uses his massive skating stride to launch the uncontested breakout and his linemates Jonathan Huberdeau and Tomas Fleischmann flank him in attack.
Thundercats are go!
Cody Hodgson seems to have position on Bjugstad but he had to pivot and Bjugstad had a few strides on him. If it wasn’t such a decisive board win for Bjugstad, Hodgson might have been able to negate the breakout. Bjugstad veers left and avoids Hodgson who just didn’t have the speed.
So close, yet, so far.
Bjugstad achieves the controlled zone entry and Tyler Myers thinks he has a clear shot at breaking up Bjugstad’s rush. The Panthers are already on a 3 on 2 and Myers just left Huberdeau even more open than he already was. Bjugstad takes advantage.
Why yes, thank you, I will receive this pass.
Did you notice Fleischmann at the bottom of the screen? If you did, Josh Gorges and Cody Hodgson sure as hell didn’t.
Huberdeau spots Fleischmann and hits him with a beautiful cross-ice pass as Flash opens up into a shooting position. Bjugstad goes to crash the net after passing it off to Huberdeau.
“Oh there’s another forward there”-Josh Gorges’ inner monologue
Cody Hodgson makes a lame attempt to cover Huberdeau here, which is important to note because if Hodgson were to stay in the slot (like he is supposed to) then the goal probably never happens. Not the best shift for Hodgson here.
As you can see, Fleischmann has a wide open net with Neuvirth getting in position to make a save on what he thinks will be a one-timer. Also, notice that Flieschmann receives the puck in a pretty awkward manner here. This might be why he doesn’t shoot the puck but I’d assume the main reason he doesn’t shoot it is going to become apparent in the non-cropped version of this same shot.
Hello, Aaron.
Enter Aaron Ekblad, or as he’s known around my apartment, The Sidney Crosby of defense.
Ekblad jumps up into the play and is totally open. Fleischmann makes the smart move, passes off to Ekblad, and now Neuvirth has to square up again as Bjugstad is parked at the top of his crease completely alone.
That’s a sexy triangle of offensive-gifted Panthers.
Ekblad receives the pass, wires a shot on net and Neuvirth actually makes an incredible save to keep it out. Now, as Neuvirth makes the save, Tyler Myers slides on his knees to try to block the shot. Instead, he takes out Neuvirth. Not the best shift for Myers either.
A valiant effort.
Neuvirth doesn’t get all of it for obvious reasons and the puck is now loose for Bjugstad to slam in, which he does. Drew Stafford is back in time to try to stop it but come on, Drew Stafford. Come on.
Goal?? Goalgoalgoal. Goal!!!
Oh, look! It’s Marcus Foligno back in time to see the Panthers celebrating!
The arrow is necessary.
Mike Obrand can be reached for contact on Twitter or via email at mikeobrand@gmail.com.
