Paul Maurice and his Florida Panthers fell 5–1 to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. During the game, Maurice hilariously called out his entire team for their lack of effort.
The Panthers are struggling in their fight for a playoff spot. The back-to-back champions currently sit ten points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card position.
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Florida Panthers third straight loss
Tuesday’s 5–1 loss to the Devils was the Panthers’ third straight defeat. They are 2-8-0 in their last ten games. Injuries have plagued them throughout the season, but expectations remained high after three straight appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. The players know they need to start winning as soon as possible if they want to climb the standings.
“You cannot look at the math. You need to focus on the next game. We need just the next game, and that’s all it is. We’re a strong group. We always help each other out, and we stay behind each other,” Panthers forward Tomas Nosek told NHL.com after the game.
Paul Maurice called out his entire team
During the first period, Maurice expressed his frustration with the team’s performance in a hilariously blunt way. Speaking to a reporter, he joked about putting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky on the ice as a skater.
“Nobody plays that game and wins. I don’t like it. Bob’s been fantastic, so we just gotta get the rest of them. Maybe I’ll get him up the ice and see if he can toe drag — he’s the only one with hands tonight. Bob, get up the ice!” Maurice shouted toward his goalie.
Fans are cracking up
Fans couldn’t stop laughing at the clip.
“This guy needs to be on stage when he’s done coaching,” one fan wrote on X.
“Imagine Bobrovsky with that puck control though — like dancing on ice,” another added.
“Love Paul’s humour!” a third chimed in.
Next up, the Panthers will face the Columbus Blue Jackets.
You can watch the interview below.
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