The Florida Panthers drive for the playoffs remains stuck in neutral. After posting an 4-1 road win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. the Cats opened their seven-game homestand with thud by dropping a 2-1 decision to the Nashville Predators.
Despite the importance of the game, Florida delivered another stinky first period and fell behind by two goals.
Rookie Luke Evangelista drew a tripping call on Radko Gudas and then got first NHL point at 13:40 when he set up Matt Duchene’s wrister from the right circle. Duchene’s shot eluded a screened Sergei Bobrovsky.