Extra rest, recovery time given to Panthers after returning from long road trip

The Florida Panthers are back from their latest extended road trip.

It will be a welcomed change, with Florida’s players receiving an opportunity to sleep in their own beds and drive their cars, or golf carts, for a little while.

The Panthers returned to South Florida on Monday after splitting their four-game, week-long road trip that ended with Sunday night’s 4-1 loss in Las Vegas.

“I’ll just grind my teeth quite a bit tonight and then watch it tomorrow,” Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice said afterwards.

Florida’s trip included two back-to-back sets, one against the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings, and another against the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights.

The Cats won both games on the front ends and lost the two on the back ends.

Now they’ll have a chance to rest and reset at home, in a familiar and comfortable setting.

For his part, Maurice is giving his players ample opportunity to do just that.

“Get this team home and get them a little bit of rest,” he said Sunday.

That’s exactly what is happening, as the Panthers were given Tuesday off and won’t take the ice for a formal workout until Wednesday’s optional morning skate in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida will host the Kings at Amerant Bank Arena later that night.

They’ll get another two days between games before hosting their latest back-to-back set this weekend against the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders.

“We don’t play back-to-back games until two games from now, so that’s awesome,” Maurice said.

The Panthers enter play Tuesday one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

Florida will play 10 of their next 13 games on home ice.

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