Jack Capuano had to correct himself a few times during a chat with reporters prior to Monday’s game, sometimes saying “we” when describing his Panthers team’s opponents. Especially when discussing his finest moment in seven seasons as Islanders head coach, their first-round series victory over the Panthers in 2016.
Capuano was reminded that the Panthers still feel robbed late in Game 6, when Vincent Trocheck was taken down while trying to shoot for an empty net. John Tavares tied it soon after and won it in double overtime.
“That’s the first thing Vinny said to me, but I told him we’d have beaten him in Game 7 anyway so it doesn’t matter,” said Capuano, Florida’s associate coach for rookie head man Bob Boughner.