The Florida Panthers, desperate for wins, need to take advantage of a tired opponent when the New York Rangers pay a visit tonight.
The Rangers played a hard-fought game last night in Tampa, where they beat the Lightning, 1-0, in overtime.
The Panthers, meanwhile, haven’t played since Saturday when they lost, 2-1, at home to Dallas.
After sweeping a five-game road trip, Florida has now dropped five of its last six.
Read more: Tom Rowe calls out Reilly Smith after loss to Dallas
“I would be lying if I said we weren’t frustrated,” captain Derek MacKenzie said, per the Miami Herald. “We may not be playing our best hockey, but we’re doing enough good things to come up with a few more points.”
Added forward Nick Bjugstad, “We need to find ways to score. Last game we had 40-something shots and I, for one, had great chances and just need to bear down on them.”
The Panthers will enter tonight’s action two points back of the Islanders for the second wild-card spot in the East. The Toronto Maple Leafs are also in the mix, and they host Detroit tonight.