Watching the Panthers maraud their way to the Stanley Cup Final round, some Rangers fans have asked me, "Well why can't our Blueshirts do that?"
The Maven has the answer and so does my Florida reporter in Sunrise, Alan Greenberg.
For starters, we focus on the coaching. David Quinn, Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette have come and gone. Now the Blueshirts are trying again. Good luck!
In Florida, the Panthers have the gem of all bench bosses, Paul Maurice. Here, I'll let Greenberg explain:
"Maurice does a couple of things some coaches shy away from trying," Big Al reveals. "For example, check out the following:
"1. He encourages his defenders to charge and join the play. The defense has 15 goals in the playoffs and all 7 defensemen who have played have at least one goal. Very few of those 15 goals came from the point.
" 2. Maurice is not afraid to use his depth players in key roles. A perfect example was Game 3. Sam Reinhart is injured so he didn't shake all the lines.
"He put Jesper Boqvist, who was a healthy scratch the game before, on the first line with Barkov and Rodrigues. So what happens? Boqvist scores the goal which broke the tie and opened the third period floodgates."
Maurice also has a very special persona that you just have to like and it seeps through the lineup. Greenberg explains:
"The Panthers are wonderful interviews," says Greenberg, "and they all have always been very cooperative. Brad Marchand has been a popular subject. His interview personality is a lot different than his on ice persona.
"Their top players, like Tkachuk, Reinhart, Barkov, Bennett are always good interviews. Even the lesser players, like A.J. Greer and Jonah Gadjovich are always nice to talk with.
"Of course, Maurice is always the best. Very detailed answers to questions and drops a few nice quips along the way. Even after losses he's good."
Unlike the Rangers under the dull Laviolette, the Panthers are a reflection of the coach.
Greenberg: "The Panthers are a very cohesive group and the players are very happy to be here. Even the depth players who don't see much action."
Half the time, the Rangers skated around as if they were dead from the neck up. What makes the Panthers so different?
"The Panthers' game doesn't change," Greenberg asserts. "They are relentless on the forecheck; stand up at the blueline; dump and chase and wear down the defenders. They give up very few quality shots and Bobrovsky in goal is really in the zone!"
It would indeed be refreshing if Sir Sullivan can manage to find that zone, wouldn't it?
