As Panthers strive for consistency, new third line has earned trust of coaching staff

The Florida Panthers may have found something in the team's newly assembled third line.

At a time where the Cats have been searching for more consistency in their game, a new grouping put together by Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice late last month has been as steady and reliable as any unit on the roster.

Florida's third line is currently featuring center Anton Lundell being flanked by Carter Verhaeghe on the left and Jesper Boqvist on the right.

They first began skating together during the Panthers 5-3 win over the New York Rangers back on Dec. 30.

While Maurice has shuffled his forward lines around in the time since, he has clearly seen something he likes from the new Lundell line.

“I think they draw some things out of each other," Maurice said. "(Boqvist) has got a little bite to his game, right? And he's on the puck. (Lundell) can play both sides of it. Carter has the speed and we know what he's capable of offensively, but I think the players around them make them better, make them true to who they are.”

In the eight games since being grouped together, the trio has combined for seven goals and 16 points on 51 shots while the Panthers have gone 4-3-1.

Looking into the advanced metrics, the line has created more scoring chances than their opponents (43-35) and been on the ice for twice as many goals as they've allowed, per Natural Stat Trick.

Interestingly, expected goals for and expected goals against are nearly identical, at 3.4 goals for and 3.5 goals against, but high danger chances are 16-11 in favor of Florida when the line is on the ice.

Considering the situation around them, with several of Florida's players dealing with a variety of injuries and illness, it seems apparent that the line's ability to maintain a level of stability on both ends of the ice has kept them together and earning the trust of the coaching staff.

"I just think we try to work hard," said Boqvist. "Those two guys have a lot of skill on them too. Lately it's been pretty good, we've tried to stay with it and work hard."

While Boqvist is new to the Panthers this season, his positive attitude toward learning Maurice's systems and buying into his message has been a big part of why the 26-year-old has received opportunities to play across the lineup.

He's played all three forward positions on all four lines at one point or another.

Verhaeghe and Lundell have been teammates since the latter came into the league as a rookie in 2021.

Playing mostly on separate lines, the two did see some time on a line together during last season's Stanley Cup Playoff run.

It's helped Lundell to quickly familiarize himself with both players while adapting and learning the best ways for them to succeed.

"It's been good, I really like to play with them," Lundell said. "I've played with Jesper a little bit more this season, and getting Carter has been very good. We played a little bit together last playoff, so I have a little experience playing with him. Of course playing with a guy like that, he scored 40 goals and been very good the past few seasons, has been fun."

We'll see how long Maurice keeps the unit intact, but for now it will be fun to see how each of the young, skilled forwards continues to build off of their linemates.

For now, it remains the latest example of just how deep of a forward group the Panthers have procured.

"It's very important," Lundell said of Florida's depth. "Some games that's the difference. Anyone can lead the way, it doesn't matter if it's the first line or the fourth line. It's just how good our team is."

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