Remember, the Panthers made changes in large part to become a team more suited for the playoffs. That's why they wanted Tkachuk, who has grit to go along with his team-leading 95 points (33 goals, 62 assists). That's why they wanted Maurice.
Maybe it's working and they're developing an identity, and maybe it will suit them down the stretch and into the playoffs, if they make it.
"I think we have a game that we understand that we can replicate," Maurice said. "In the playoffs, the rush game disappears, the pucks go to the walls, and it's a grind. We're good at that now."
Another thing should suit them the rest of the way: momentum. The Panthers have been playing playoff hockey -- in terms of the style and the stakes -- for months now. They've gotten rolling, and they've gained confidence, and it could keep snowballing.
Contrast that to last season, when they were atop the NHL standings and didn't have much for which to play down the stretch. Though they defeated the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs, they got swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning -- then the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions -- in the second.
"It's fun playing these meaningful games," Verhaeghe said. "Last year, we were on the other side of it. It didn't really matter what happened, and we got shocked a little bit, I think. So, yeah, playing meaningful hockey coming down to the wire, it's always really good."
Twelve games to go.