Florida Panthers incredible team effort, but one player kept Colorado from building momentum

A month ago, plenty of fans were nervous about Tarasov's crease work. Pucks looked like they were sticking to him one night, then bouncing loose the next.

Sunday felt different right away because his reads were clean and his feet stayed calm. Florida clamped down in front of him too, keeping Colorado from living in the slot all night.

The best snapshot came late when Nathan MacKinnon got a breakaway with the game still hanging by a thread. Tarasov stayed tall, waited out the move, and slammed the door when it mattered.

That is the kind of moment that resets a goalie's month in one breath. It also resets how the bench plays, because skaters stop cheating for offense when they trust the next save.

You could feel fans exhale because that save looked like a goalie owning the game, not surviving it. When a backup shows that edge, teammates play a touch freer and the coach has real options.

This road trip is where it matters most, especially against division opponents who know every habit and every soft spot. Florida cannot afford to burn out Sergei Bobrovsky in January when the heavy games are still coming.

That is why Tarasov's bounce-back is bigger than one win. If he can give you steady starts while Bobrovsky rests, the whole roster's posture changes, including the defense pairings.

It also keeps Florida's game honest because the team does not have to chase a perfect night. They can win ugly, protect a lead, and trust that the next shot is handled.

Beating Colorado is never just a regular win, even when it is only 2-1. It is a measuring stick game, and Florida answered with structure, patience, and a goalie who looked ready.

The second half is basically here, and the Panthers need real momentum.