Inside the Panthers' new power play before tonight's Canes rematch
Two Tkachuks on one unit scored in 38 seconds Sunday, and assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu took 11 stitches for the cause.
The Panthers head to Raleigh for a preseason rematch with Carolina on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center. Sunday's 6-3 win gave us a first look at Paul Maurice's new power play, and it gave assistant coach Tuomo Ruutu about 11 stitches.
The power play, decoded
The Hockey News broke down the two units Florida rolled out Sunday. PP1: Aleksander Barkov on the right side, Seth Jones at the point, Matthew Tkachuk at the net front, Sam Reinhart in the bumper and Brady Tkachuk on the left side.
PP2: Carter Verhaeghe left, Eetu Luostarinen right, Anton Lundell low, Sam Bennett in the bumper and Aaron Ekblad at the point.
The top unit needed 38 seconds to score. Barkov worked it to Matthew, Matthew found Brady on the far side, and Brady wired it. Florida finished 1-for-4 with eight power-play shots, per The Hockey News.
Maurice's explanation for putting Brady on the flank instead of the net front, via The Hockey News: "Brady has got some hands, he can make some plays, he also, for us, puck recovery is really important." Brady's own read was shorter. "Being simple is going to be our best friend."
Ferda read: two Tkachuks on one unit sounds like a gimmick until you watch who wins the loose puck after a blocked shot. That's the whole design. Matthew screens, Brady retrieves, Reinhart lurks in the bumper. It's ugly on a whiteboard and mean on the ice.
About that puck
The only Panther who left Sunday's game hurt wasn't a player. Ruutu took a deflected puck with 1:35 left, per Florida Hockey Now, and was helped to the room by the medical staff. Maurice said it was fine and the first worry was the eye, but it wasn't. About 11 stitches.
Then the head coach did what any hockey lifer does with a coach who took one off the face. He told Florida Hockey Now that Ruutu "will just get chirped so badly for not being able to get out of the way."
What Carolina brings
The Hurricanes are again going young, meeting the CBA minimum of eight veteran skaters, per the team's preview. P.O. Joseph, Mike Reilly, Shayne Gostisbehere and Juuso Valimaki anchor the defense. Brandon Bussi, who went 31-6-2 as a first-year NHLer last season, and Cayden Primeau are the expected goalies. Seth Jarvis is still in a no-contact jersey after offseason shoulder surgery.
That means another night of Florida's veterans against Carolina's prospects. Rod Brind'Amour's kids scored three on Sunday, so they weren't just there for the skate.
Ferda Take
Don't read the score Tuesday. Read the special teams and the bottom of the lineup. Cole Reinhardt's two goals and seven hits Sunday put him in the roster conversation. Another night like that and Maurice has a decision to make on the fourth line.
What's next
After Raleigh, it's Thursday at Tampa Bay and Saturday at home against the Lightning. The real one is Sept. 29 in Carolina, per Florida Hockey Now.