Panthers' 'No Excuses' motto getting tested early in season

SUNRISE, Fla. -- On Saturday morning, the Florida Panthers made one last locker room addition before suiting up for their home opener against the New Jersey Devils.

No players were signed and no lines combinations were changed. However, a new credo can now be found on one wall of their dressing room at the BB&T Center.

Positioned above the lockers of goaltenders Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya, the words "NO EXCUSES" jump out in bold white lettering on top of a red backdrop.

After a 5-1 loss to the visiting Devils on Saturday and a winless start to their 2014-15 season, the team's new motto is certainly being put to the test.

"I think we've had a couple tough breaks," said Luongo, who allowed five goals before being pulled in favor of Montoya early in the second period. "That being said, you can't make excuses like that."

Unable to establish any kind of rhythm to start the game, the Devils wasted no time in taking advantage of the Panthers missteps, scoring three goals within the first 13:13, including a pair of power play goals courtesy of Devils forwards Martin Havlat and Mike Cammalleri.

"It was a tough start, but no excuses," said Luongo, who last allowed five-plus goals for the first time since Feb. 24, 2013. "I have to try and keep the team in the game in there and try and make a couple saves but I didn't do that. It's a disappointing effort on my part."

As it was in Tampa Bay during their 3-2 overtime loss in the regular-season opener, referees Brian Pochmara and Kevin Pollock had their whistles blowing early and often as the Panthers spent the majority of the first period in the penalty box, leading to a four-goal first period for the Devils.

Initially thought of as one of the team's most improved areas during the offseason, penalty killing remains as big a problem as it was when the team finished at a league-worst 76 percent just a season ago. In two games this season, the PK unit has killed off just five of 12 opposing power plays.

With their ability to kill penalties once again in question, head coach Gerard Gallant has grown frustrated with the team's frequent trips to the sin bin.

"We talk about it every period," Gallant said. "It was part of the pregame speech tonight, staying out of the box. Players don't want to take penalties, but it happens. You get two early and they get two power play goals early, it's frustrating."

As it stands now, the oft-penalized Panthers are running out of new ways to get booked by referees. In just two games this season, the team have recorded nine different types of penalties, ranging from hooking to having too many men on the ice.

Newly appointed team captain Willie Mitchell echoed Gallant's dissatisfaction with the team's lack of discipline.

"The game is really hard when you're playing from behind, especially against a team that plays from above and overtop. You've got to stay out of the box and you've got to make your own break."

After Luongo's early exit, the team composed themselves in front of Montoya and would go on to out score the Devils 1-0 in the final period and a half behind a power play goal from newcomer Derek MacKenzie.

Still searching for their first victory of the season, and having exited the ice to a chorus of boos from the 11,419 disappointed fans in attendance on Saturday evening, Mitchell knows that strong finish doesn't make up for a horrid start.

"Just not a good enough start," said Mitchell, who finished the game with 17:40 of ice time. "The margin of error is so thin in this league that if you don't come out to play in the first 10 (minutes) you get your you-know-what handed to you. It's a lesson to be learned for our young hockey club and for everyone here."

Playing host to the Ottawa Seantors on Monday, Mitchell hopes that team can quickly put Saturday's debacle behind and continue to build of what he believed was a good showing Thursday in Tampa Bay.

"We didn't compete and no one is fooling anyone,'' Mitchell said. "It was there in Tampa. You always want to play well, every game is a big game in this league."

You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.