Paul Maurice praised Sam Reinhart today after the Panthers center scored for a third straight game.
Florida (8-5-2, fifth in the Atlantic) lost 5-3 to Detroit on Monday night, but Reinhart found the net again. Jameson Olive tracked the streak, and then passed along what Maurice had to say about him.
The Panthers coach talked about Reinhart's mind rather than his shot. Olive relayed Maurice's line that Reinhart "never comes to the rink stupid" and that "His greatest gift is his brain."
Reinhart has 8 goals and 5 assists for 13 points in 15 games. Six of those goals have come on the power play, and he's level with Carter Verhaeghe (8 G, 13 PTS). Only Matthew Tkachuk (21 PTS) and Brady Tkachuk (16 PTS) are ahead of him.
Monday's line: 1 goal, 3 shots on goal, a +1 rating and 20:13 of ice time. That +1 stands out on a night when both Tkachuks finished -1.
Olive's call on the goal that tied it 1-1 came in real time.
Carter Verhaeghe said Monday that the Panthers are building something. Reinhart's production is a big part of that, even if one loss to the Red Wings put a dent in the win streak.
Why Reinhart's hockey brain matters without Barkov
Maurice's point about styles is the key. Reinhart reads what the other team is doing, adjusts, and the production follows. That matters more than ever with Aleksander Barkov on injured reserve, listed with a knee injury and out until at least Nov. 27. Barkov has played only 2 games this season and has no points.
Without the captain, Florida has needed its forwards to solve different looks every night. Brady Tkachuk's eight goals are one answer. Reinhart's six power-play goals are another, and honestly he looks like the steadiest forward on this roster right now.
Next up is Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Panthers want to bounce back from the 3-5 loss. Chicago is 4-10-1, lost its last three and hasn't won on the road yet, going 0-5-1 away from home. Florida will need Reinhart to keep it going.
Is Sam Reinhart the Panthers' most important forward while Barkov is out?
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