NHL scores 2017: The Panthers finished a five-game road trip win streak with flair

On this week’s edition of the “Eastern Conference Playoff Carousel,” we have the Panthers jumping into the fray for the first time this season. A 2-1 victory in St. Louis capped off a five-game Western Conference road trip, which they swept in pretty convincing fashion.

Maybe more impressive than their five-game sweep, where they scored 22 goals in an offensive outburst, is the fact that Florida has gone 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. The stretch of success may or may not be attributed to the return of key offensive producers Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau from injury, but it’s definitely worth noting.

Monday’s game against the Blues wasn’t a high-scoring affair, however. A 26-save performance from backup James Reimer and Vincent Trocheck’s late goal with five seconds to play were the difference.

It’s been quite the run for the Panthers over the last few games. With the Atlantic in play once again thanks to Montreal’s slide, Florida is seizing their opportunity to bank some key points for the playoff race still to come.

We’re likely not going to know which teams will make the playoffs in the East until the last day of the season, but should the Panthers make it, this road trip will be an important moment to look back on.

Panthers 2, Blues 1
Coyotes 3, Ducks 1

1. The Blues are coming down from their coaching-change high

What goes up, must come down. St. Louis went on a 7-1 stretch after firing head coach Ken Hitchcock and bumping Mike Yeo into the position half a year earlier than expected. However, the Blues have lost their last two games in close contests and are officially cooling off from their run that catapulted them into the third spot in the Central.

It’s a great run to build off of, and one they’ll have to keep momentum from as the Predators attempt to chase down the Blues in the Central.

2. We’re getting a good glimpse of the Coyotes’ youth

Arizona kept the Ducks from jumping the Oilers in the Pacific thanks to three first period goals that put the game away early. Though the Coyotes are out of the playoff race, they’ve had a bit of a resurgence in their last handful of games, as they’ve won four of their last six. Their young starts are starting to show their potential as well, as 21-year-old rookie Christian Dvorak make this great play to open the scoring.

Young defenseman Jakob Chychrun also added a goal in the victory, breaking a six-game pointless drought. Arizona still has a ways to go, but contributions from their young players signals the potential for a real bright future in the desert.

3. The Ducks ran into a hot goaltender

I’ve said it before, but Mike Smith is a very confusing goaltender. He’ll have abysmal games where he makes boneheaded plays, but on some nights he’ll absolutely shut down opponents. Anaheim found this out, as they threw 28 shots at Smith. Ryan Getzlaf got the first goal midway through the game, then the second in the dying seconds of the game.

Adding to the drama, Smith had to leave five minutes into the third period after being run into and possibly pulled by a concussion spotter! Marek Langhamer played his first career NHL action cold, but held down the fort with six saves.

Trocheck’s game winner with five seconds to play was one of the only real highlights on a quiet Monday.