Pass on Sharp, the Florida Panthers aren't in a lopsided loss to Carolina

Not much was expected from the Florida Panthers on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes, with the most anticipated part of the night being the debut of the team’s new broadcast partner.

The Panthers, who sent most of their young players who remain in training camp to Raleigh, ended up giving up their first five goals before losing 8-2 to NHL team Carolina.

“That’s probably what the game should look like,” Coach Paul Maurice said after. “They’ve been with you pretty well.”

The show, however, may have exceeded expectations.

Ed Jovanovski joining Randy Moller and Steve Goldstein in the booth for this preseason game was a pleasant surprise as the three called the game like the old friends they are.

It was like the trio sitting in your living room and making small talk.

As for the technical aspects of the new Scripps Sports broadcast, the graphics were clean and sharp, the camera angles were on point, the sound was clear.

Katie Engleson was on site as an rink reporter and brought a number of top camp stories to the broadcast.

Scripps also wisely put the scorbug in the upper left corner of the screen, after Bally Sports, where it naturally belongs.

You may recall that Bally Sports refused to move it from the bottom, even though their plan to run gambling odds and ends with a scroll embedded in the scorbug never.

That being said, Bally Sports Florida brought a very professional show to Florida fans. Scripps seems to have improved.

Here’s how the new Florida Panthers stream opened – using the Panthers+ app.

The over-the-air channels seemed to have trouble opening, but it’s up now. As expected, the TV is a good minute ahead of the stream. pic.twitter.com/6MGmnbqSLf

— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) September 27, 2024

Aside from an early black screen on the over-the-air channels that missed the new opener, there were few errors on the ice.

On her?

Well, remember that’s why NHL teams play preseason games.

All the Florida kids saw action against one of the top teams in the league.

They were outmatched from the start.

Maurice admitted this before the team left Fort Lauderdale.

“We shouldn’t have any chance to win this game based on the talent disparity,” Maurice said Friday morning.

The roles could be reversed tonight when the Panthers welcome Carolina to Sunrise at 6.

The Panthers should have plenty of familiar faces on the ice tonight – with the AHL Chicago Wolves representing the Hurricanes.

Only Maurice said following Friday’s defeat that some who went on Friday could go again on Saturday.

“No one is getting a 10-year bid tonight, obviously,” Maurice said, “but no one is getting out of that performance either. We’ll rest them a little bit, play a few of them (Saturday).

“We’re still not going to field a wide lineup of veterans because we’re playing so many exhibition games. Everyone will have a chance to be seen.”

Those who can’t make it to the game tonight can watch Round 2 of the newly broadcast Panthers as Friday was the first of four preseason games the Scripps team will work on before things start to count in October.

Here are some observations from Friday night:

— The goalkeeper from Florida Spencer Knight made a great, extended save with just under 2 minutes left but was under siege all night.

Knight ended up playing the first two periods, allowing six goals on 21 shots. He left with the Panthers trailing 6-1.

He stood little chance against the likes of Seth Jarvis, Jordan Staal, Sean Walker & Co.

I hope Knight was able to partake in some Carolina BBQ while in Raleigh.

It’s pretty good we were told.

– We expect it Sergei Bobrovsky start one of the next two preseason home games; if bob doesn’t go tonight, wait Chris Driedger to get started.

Earlier in the day, the Panthers broke free Ken Appleby and Evan Cormier and assigned them to Charlotte’s AHL camp.

— Oliver Eyeglass had a strong rookie showcase and looked good in practice. He will start the season in Charlotte, but the 24-year-old from Florida, retired from the Czech League, showed strong awareness around the net when he made it 5-1, deflecting a Mike Benning shot in the second half.

— Benning had a nice night getting the puck to the net, with AJ Greer (he will make the Panthers) batting one past Frederick Andersen 4:02 in the third.

— Patrick Giles continued his push to replace the wounded Tomas Nosek when the season opens. Giles can be one of those who plays in the back-to-back set.

He focused on Greer and Will Lockwood Friday evening; Jesper Boqvist we should be back tonight on the fourth line, but we’ll see.