Unpacking "Panthers Uncaged": Earning Some Respect

Welcome back to "Unpacking Panthers Uncaged" where we take a closer look into the newest installment of "Panthers Uncaged," presented by Enterprise. Let this serve as your spoiler warning, FLA fans - if you haven't kept up with the cats, check out the latest episode below.

WHAT WE LEARNED

1. The Cats came to play
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The 2020-21 NHL season has been historic for the Florida Panthers for a number of reasons.
Because the global COVID-19 pandemic brought the previous hockey season to a screeching halt, the current campaign has been abbreviated to just 56 games. In this shortened year, the Panthers battle tough new divisional opponents -almost every other night- and collect valuable points at every opportunity.
Under the direction of new general manager Bill Zito, the team has not-so-quietly gotten off to one of the best starts in franchise history.

"I can't say I'm surprised," Captain Aleksander Barkov noted on the team's hot start. "We worked really hard in training camp. We [were] excited to get it started. We got a good start, so we don't really think about what has been in the past."
Posting an impressive 26-11-4 record, Florida is fighting for one of the coveted top spots in the Central Division. The top three central teams - Tampa Bay, Florida and Carolina - are separated by a single point or two and leapfrog one another constantly, with the first seed changing before the ink on the scoresheet can dry. "We just want to keep going," Barkov said. "We have good confidence."
That feeling of confidence permeates through the locker room as the team looks to continue the success into the postseason.

2. Life on the road is pretty suite
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With the COVID-19 pandemic still the biggest health concern, the NHL isn't taking any chances with coach, player, or staff wellbeing. So when teams travel, they're confined to the hotel they stay at in each visiting city.
Notoriously creatures of habit, the players have adjusted to the new way of life as a visiting team well. Having meals together, working out, and video chatting with family are usually what's on the agenda.
As seen in the latest episode, even group yoga is sometimes on the docket.
"I think obviously being on the road everyone's got to be careful. [There's a] lot of down time in the hotel. We're not really allowed to leave," forward Frank Vatrano explained.
"I think [video] gaming is a big thing right now," Vatrano said grinning.
Games, practices, and travel means that the team spends a lot of time working, eating and relaxing together. The league protocols have allowed guys to bond in all kinds of different ways.

"Overall, life in the hotel has been good,"
forward Noel Acciari wrote in a Panthers Postcard earlier in March
. "Can't really go anywhere, so we just chat."
With strict rules in place, staying in means the players have a chance to rest, recharge, and get in the zone for the game ahead.
3. Mr. 1,000 Games
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On March 7, 2021 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Cats defenseman Keith Yandle suited up for his 1,000 NHL game, joining a small, elite group of players in the 1K club.
The following Saturday night at BB&T Center, the Florida Panthers honored Yandle for his extraordinary milestone before a matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks.

To kick off the night's festivities, the Panthers wore '1,000' jerseys during warm-ups to honor Yandle.

The pre-game ceremony included a special on ice appearance by Keith's wife Kristyn and two daughters, Mila and Lola, a silver stick featuring details on his 1,000 games played, and a commemorative plaque on his accomplishments.
The gift that stole the show, however, was a one-of-a-kind custom golf kart presented to Yandle by his teammates.

A video was shown on the jumbotron featuring family, friends, and past and present coaches and teammates of Keith's congratulating him on 1,000 games played.

After a big 4-2 win over the Blackhawks, fans on their way home from BB&T Center picked up a Keith Yandle poster keepsake to celebrate the milestone.

"I'm lucky every day just to be playing in the NHL and calling this a job," Yandle said. "Never really had the goal, never really thought I'd even make it to the NHL, so it's kind of one of those things where I'm just enjoying the ride and enjoying every minute of it."
And enjoy it he has! As the third longest active "Ironman" in the NHL, he brings intensity (and humor) to every game he plays in.

BEST MOMENT

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Did…did Weegs just break the fourth wall?!

GIF OF THE EPISODE

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What can we say? That's one cool cat.
Catch up on all the episodes of Panthers Uncaged now at FloridaPanthers.com HERE.