Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers are no longer chasing their game, they're enforcing it, and the results keep stacking up fast.
On Wednesday night in Sunrise, the Panthers smothered the Los Angeles Kings in a tight 3-2 win, leaning fully into structure and patience. It wasn't flashy, but it was controlled, and it pushed Florida to six wins in their last seven games.
From the opening shifts, Florida dictated pace by denying clean entries. The Kings were forced into dump-ins early, and Florida's defense retrieved pucks efficiently, exiting without panic. That alone stripped Los Angeles of its preferred possession-heavy rhythm.
At five-on-five, Florida clogged the middle. Slot chances were rare, shooting lanes disappeared quickly, and rebounds were contested immediately. The Panthers allowed shots, but not comfort, forcing the Kings to settle for perimeter looks rather than second-chance chaos.
This was a textbook Paul Maurice game. Lines stayed disciplined, shifts stayed short, and nobody chased offense at the expense of coverage. Florida trusted that chances would come if they stayed connected, and they did.
Florida Panthers turn defense into momentum
Daniil Tarasov benefited from the structure in front of him. Sightlines were clean, traffic was managed, and lateral breakdowns were minimal. When the Kings pushed late, Florida collapsed intelligently rather than scrambling, a sign of confidence more than desperation.
Los Angeles made it interesting in the third, but Florida never fully unraveled. Clears were purposeful, boards were used smartly, and offensive-zone time late helped bleed the clock rather than invite pressure. Those details win close games.
This stretch has quietly shifted the standings conversation. Florida is climbing without needing dominant offensive nights, relying instead on defensive buy-in and situational awareness. That's sustainable hockey, especially against teams built like the Kings.
There's also a psychological edge growing. Six wins in seven games changes how a room feels. Mistakes don't spiral, patience doesn't crack, and belief carries over shift to shift. You can see it in how Florida protects leads now. The Panthers won't get style points for this one, but they earned something better, rust in their game.