Nick Bjugstad scores on a beautiful team goal (Video)

The Florida Panthers are off to a flying start against the Pittsburgh Penguins with Nick Bjugstad finishing off a nice passing play.

If you had told me at the start of the season that the Florida Panthers would be first in their division and the Pittsburgh Penguins out of a playoff spot, I would have laughed in your face. However, just past the second half of the season that is where both teams find themselves in the standings.

Most of the Panthers’ success has been due to Roberto Luongo playing some of his best hockey in years, but their offense has been great as well. And with Luongo getting the night off, the Panthers’ offense went to work immediately, with Nick Bjugstad scoring the opening goal on a beautiful team effort:

The Panthers had the Penguins defenders chasing the puck all over the place. Fleury had no idea what was going on before he had to pick the puck up out of his own net.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a tough season. They had to fire their coach early on in the season, and it wasn’t until then that Sidney Crosby started lighting the lamp. Of course, better late than never, but when Crosby doesn’t score, the Penguins’ offense looks out of sorts and they have been too many times this season.

There’s still lots of time for the Penguins to make the playoffs, but that shouldn’t be enough. Another early exit should lead to more drastic changes within the organization.