And the hits just keep on coming. The Florida Panthers dropped their ninth consecutive game (0-5-4), this time to the New York Rangers 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. While in this game the Panthers had a rare second period lead, it took the Rangers less than 15 minutes to turn that lead into the all-familiar two-goal, third period deficit. This time, the requisite comeback fell one goal short in the end.

I have to admit, it’s tough trying to find some bright spots in a situation like this but, I’m going to try. The effort level was there which seems like a weird to thin praise since it SHOULD be there every night. Aleksander Barkov broke a nine-game goalless drought with a power play goal (!) in the first. Brian Campbell tallied his first two goals of the season, something sorely needed.

But, with all of that, the bottom line is that it still wasn’t enough to get the win. Too many brain-dead turnovers and senseless penalties cripple this team on a nightly basis. And no matter the effort level, this team just isn’t good enough to overcome it. And don’t look now, but here come the league-leading Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Should the Panthers not be able to win that one, the losing skid will hit ten for the first time since the close of the 2010-11 season.

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