How the Panthers avoided a post-Stanley Cup hangover -- and why they might win it again

The Panthers are battling for first place in the Atlantic Division .

Florida is averaging the fourth -most goals this season ( 3.65 per game) Sam Reinhart is the Panthers ' leading scorer with 18 goals and 34 points.

Aleksander Barkov has 25 points in 18 games; Matthew Tkachuk has 23 in 21 .

Florida 's dynamic offense has picked up slack for the team's more porous defense.

GM Bill Zito will be busy again working the phones to strengthen an area the Panthers haven't been dominant in.

Zito 's forte at finding the right pieces for the right price pays off.

The Panthers innately know themselves, and that has to be on display.

Florida has been dominant on the power play this season ( third overall, at 28.4% ) and have an above-average penalty kill ( 12th , 80.8% ) The Panthers have stayed atop the league because they're built not for short bursts of achievement but to thrive for sustained stretches.

Florida is top-10 in even-strength scoring the past three seasons , and sixth overall in goals per game.