After their 12-game winning streak catapulted them to the top of the Atlantic Division and made them the talk of the NHL, the Florida Panthers have quickly found themselves losers of four straight after Monday's 4-2 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers.
"The work ethic is lacking, for sure," head coach Gerard Gallant said, per Jameson Olive of FOX Sports. "Whether they're tired, or whatever it is, I'm not happy with the last number of games."
One positive sign came as the Panthers finally outshot their opponent for the first time in 2016 despite winning their first five games of the new year, but in such a tight playoff race, the players need to rediscover their winning form soon.
"It's pretty simple: We have to get back on track," said forward Quinton Howden. "The streak was fun, and it was good, but you have to be able to regroup."
With four days off before a meeting with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, forward Nick Bjugstad admits that while their energy may have been low Monday, the team will need to be fully rested for a huge game Friday.
"We have no excuses," Bjugstad said. "Four days off here, we have to come ready."
