In the Florida Panthers’ 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, the standout performance of their fourth line drew significant praise. Coach Paul Maurice highlighted this unit, consisting of Ryan Lomberg, Kevin Stenlund, and Nick Cousins, for their exceptional play.
“They were just on the puck and fast and detailed,” Maurice noted, emphasizing their critical role in the game. He praised Lomberg specifically, stating, “It might be the best game I’ve seen Ryan Lomberg play. They didn’t score so it’s not that. But the technical parts of his game. The energy’s always there, the physicality’s always there”.
Despite not scoring, Lomberg and his linemates’ contributions were vital. They maintained an impressive expected Goals percentage (xGF%) of 86.82%, the highest for any line that played at least two minutes. Their defensive and offensive efforts were crucial, with the line not allowing any scoring chances while on the ice.
The Panthers’ overall performance, bolstered by the relentless play of their fourth line, put the Rangers in a difficult position. The Rangers struggled with Florida’s forecheck and made numerous giveaways, underscoring the effectiveness of the Panthers’ strategy and execution.
Panthers Ryan Lomberg a problem for Rangers
The line generated an expected Goals percentage (xGF%) of 86.82%, the highest of any line with at least two minutes of ice time in the game. They didn’t allow a single scoring chance while on the ice, highlighting their defensive resilience and offensive pressure.
Florida’s top six, led by Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, also contributed significantly, making the Panthers’ lineup difficult for the Rangers to handle. The fourth line’s strong play, combined with the top lines’ performance, put the Rangers on their heels throughout the game.
This consistent effort across all lines helped the Panthers secure a 3-0 victory, with the Rangers struggling against Florida’s relentless forecheck and making numerous giveaways. The Rangers will need to make significant adjustments before Game 2 to avoid falling further behind in the series.
GET MORE NEWS HERE
Leave a Reply