It's no secret the Florida Panthers have struggled in recent years. Between not making a playoff appearance since 2016, where they lost in the first round, struggling to fill the seats at BB&T arena and general on-ice troubles, the Panthers are rarely in the conversation of ‘top-tier' teams.
However, if you feel like you've heard more about them this season, it's because you have.
The team has made some changes for the 19-20 season, including the acquisition of star netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, former Bruin Noel Acciari and Stanley Cup Champion head coach Joel Quenneville.
The Panthers have made some noise through the first leg of the season, especially this past week.
And while it's been a team effort, the last few days have been all Acciari and Huberdeau.
Noel Acciari, who took the ice during the Stanley Cup Final last year as a member of the Boston Bruins, found the back of the net just six times during the 18-19 season, as part of the Bruins bottom six.
Acciari would match those six goals from last season in just two games with Florida, this week, as he would net back-to-back hat-tricks for the Panthers. The second of which would be a natural hat-trick, completed on a penalty shot against the Dallas Stars.
Here's a look at Noel Acciari's hat trick in the 2nd period tonight. #FlaPanthers pic.twitter.com/iegbSDzqyr— Here's Your Replay ⬇ (@HeresYourReplay) December 21, 2019
In addition to the stellar performances from Acciari, his line mate Jonathan Huberdeau has also had headline worthy performances as of late as well.
Often referred to as one of the most underrated players in the league, Huberdeau continues to prove that he is, in fact, a top tier performer.
To accompany his new line mate Noel Acciari, Huberdeau has now put up four(+) points in back to back games, (4 against Ottawa, 5 against Dallas.)
Huberdeau already with 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) tonight.
He's now tied for 7th in NHL scoring with 45 points.
His 33 assists are also tied for the 4th-most in the NHL.— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) December 21, 2019
He has also tied the team record for most four point games.
The new line of Acciari, Huberdeau and Trocheck has combined for +20 points between Monday and Friday.
While the Panthers may be sitting in the bottom 15 of the NHL standings, it's becoming more apparent as the season goes on that the team has potential and there's still plenty of time to make a push.
With Quenneville at the reigns and contributions like this from Huberdeau and Acciari, the Panthers could be the sleeper team of the Eastern Conference this year.
