NOTEBOOK: Desire vs. Desperation in Game 4

TAMPA – The Florida Panthers aren’t going to take their foot off the gas.

Despite holding a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference First Round, the Panthers don’t plan to change a thing when they try to complete a stunning sweep of the cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 at Amalie Arena on Saturday a 5 p.m. ET.

“We always approach a series like we’re ready to play seven games no matter what,” defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. “At the end of the day, we’re going to come in and play our game no differently than we always do. We don’t expect an easy game tomorrow. It’s just going to be the same difficult level it has been this entire series.”

In the history of the NHL, only four teams have ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit in the playoffs.

While that staggeringly low number might be a comfort to some, the Panthers aren’t taking anything from granted and know nothing is over until it’s over. After all, it was only a year ago that they came back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Boston Bruins in Round 1.

“The things that I’ve learned, and things that we’ve all learned in the last five years in general, are completely the reason we’re able to find success right now,” Ekblad said. “I find experience is absolutely everything in the playoffs, and it’s definitely showing.”

During their run to last year’s Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers twice found themselves leading 3-0 in a series. In Round 2, they ended up needing five games to send the Toronto Maple Leafs packing, while in Round 3 they successfully swept the Carolina Hurricanes.

With the brooms out once again, they know the last game of a series is often the hardest to win.

“I don’t think the hockey necessarily changes, but your perception of it does,” head coach Paul Maurice said of elimination games. “There’s more intensity, right? There’s more on the line. There’s desire, which is sometimes a dangerous thing for the team that’s got the three [wins] that’s closing out, and then there’s in this situation the desperation of the other team. I don’t think the hockey changes other than those two things can play into the game.”

OKPOSO MAKES AN IMPACT

Speaking of desire, look no further than No. 8.

After being on the outside looking in at the playoffs in the previous eight seasons, veteran forward Kyle Okposo had a front-row seat during last night’s 5-3 win against the Lightning.

Despite seeing just 6:41 of ice…