Panthers' improvement begins with defense

The last time the Florida Panthers played this well defensively also might have been the last time their fans had unshakable faith that the team could be a force for an extended period.

Heading into Saturday's games, Florida is on pace to give up 197 goals this season, showing the same level of stinginess it displayed in 1996-97, when it gave up 201.

"I think everyone is comfortable with what we are trying to do," Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said.

New coach Gerard Gallant has persuaded his team to play a far more responsible game than it did last season, when the Panthers ranked 29th in goals against.

"It's just his way," Tallon said. "He keeps it simple. It's basic. He keeps it fun. We aren't trying to reinvent the wheel."

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The Panthers ranked third in the Eastern Conference in goals against per game and were sitting in the second wild-card spot on Saturday morning. That's an important step for a team that missed the playoffs in 12 of the past 13 seasons.

In 1996-97, when the Panthers set a team record for goals against per game in a full season, it was the last time the team made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. That was the season after Florida reached the Stanley Cup Final.

With the Panthers still trying to grow a fan base (a league-worst 8,849 average attendance, according to ESPN), there is urgency in the organization to get back in the playoffs. Miserly defense is the best way to accomplish that.

Defenseman Willie Mitchell, signed as a free agent last summer, and rookie Aaron Ekblad have played major roles in improving the team's defensive play.

"We thought we knew what we were getting with Mitchell, but he has been better than we thought we were getting," Tallon said. "He's a great captain."

Ekblad might be the best 18-year-old NHL defenseman since Ray Bourque joined the Boston Bruins in 1979.

"He is incredibly poised, and his knowledge of the game and hockey sense is incredible," Tallon said.

No matter what's happening on the ice, Ekblad looks like he always has the fire under control.

Another key has been goalie Roberto Luongo. Tallon acquired him last season in hopes he'd give the team the chance to be competitive every night. He has a .925 save percentage in his second stint in Florida.

"He's been an unbelievable pro," Tallon said.

The addition of role players Derek McKenzie and Shawn Thornton has given the Panthers more feistiness.

The Panthers' issue has been putting the puck in the net. They ranked 27th, averaging 2.13 goals a game. Nick Bjugstad had 12 goals, and Jimmy Hayes had seven. No one else had more than five.

"We are playing a lot of close games, and the offense is getting better," Tallon said.

The hope is youngsters Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Bjugstad will continue to improve.

"We know we have more depth in the system than we have ever had," Tallon said.

Rocco Grimaldi, Drew Shore and Quinton Howden are probably all ready to play in the NHL. There's competition for jobs in Florida.

"Obviously, the biggest thing moving forward for us is to find that game-breaker," Tallon said. "Whether we have him in the system yet, I don't know."

If the Panthers decide they don't have that player, Tallon will be aggressive with a trade or free agent signing. His history has been to manage boldly.

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