Paul Maurice finds pros and cons in busy, travel-filled Panthers schedule

One month into the NHL season, the Florida Panthers are in a familiar position.

No, we don't mean on top of the standings.

As they have in each of the past two seasons, the Panthers are once again managing some extreme travel obstacles.

"I think we are still managing a lot of our scheduling challenges that we have," Maurice said. "It probably is our biggest challenge that we will have all year, going into April. We play three sets of back-to-back games in nine games. We are going to have to monitor that. That can be a good thing if you can learn to handle it."

Florida also plays consecutive games against the New Jersey Devils this week, both on home ice, but a day apapt.

Maurice compared the consecutive games against the same opponent to the COVID schedule back during the 2020-21 season.

"You have New Jersey back-to-back, here," Maurice said "You've got a couple of those it looks like."

The Panthers already played two straight games in Finland against the Dallas Stars, and now they will have the consecutive home games with the New Jersey Devils this Tuesday and Thursday.

Next week, Florida plays the Winnipeg Jets two straight games, but it is a home-and-home.

There is a back-to-back, home-and-home against the Carolina Hurricanes at the end of November. The Panthers will also play the Tampa Bay Lightning on a back-to-back, home-and-home basis in late December.

The idea of doing what the Devils are doing this week, spending extended time in the same city and playing a pair of road games, is something Maurice can get behind.

"I cut down on the travel on the team," Maurice said. "I don't mind going in and playing two games in the same place. That would be good."

The only drawback, Maurice said, would be the amount of time the players are away from home.

Overall, he actually likes the idea because the wear and tear of travel would be considerably less.

"It would make for longer road trips, but it's actually less work and it's more interesting. I like the back to backs because on that second game, both teams have the same video," Maurice said. "They make the adjustments they need to make and you adjust off the last game so it takes a little more of a playoff feel to it."

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