The Florida Panthers are set to open up their 2015-2016 season tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. Last season, the Panthers remained in the hunt for a playoff spot right up until the last week of the regular season. This year, the Eastern Conference is wide open, as a number of teams either stood still during free agency or lost important contributors (yes I’m referring to you Boston). With that, let’s take a look at three factors the Panthers need in order to have the best chance at making the playoffs.

Special Teams Must Improve

Alright, this one is pretty obvious. The Panthers ended the season last year ranked 24th in both power play percentage at 16.3% and penalty kill percentage at 80%. Last season, out of the top 15 ranked penalty-killing teams, 12 made the playoffs. It’s pretty clear that special teams success correlates to reaching the playoffs.

After Jaromir Jagr was traded to the Panthers at last year’s trade deadline, the power play significantly improved. The power play should have all the pieces to be successful this season, especially with a full season of Jaromir Jagr.

With Gerard Gallant electing to go with 4 forwards and 1 defenseman, the top power play line should consist of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Jaromir Jagr, Nick Bjugstad, and Aaron Ekblad. That unit has plenty of talent and offense to be in the top half of the league. The second PP unit has some options to choose from, with possible candidates being Brandon Pirri, Reilly Smith, Vincent Trocheck, Jussi Jokinen, Rocco Grimaldi, Quinton Howden, Connor Brickley, and Brian Campbell.

It is crucial that the special teams improve from last season if the Panthers want to be playing games in late April. I would say a power play and penalty kill percentage finish in the top half of the league would be enough to reach the playoffs.

Ekblad Keeps Foot on the Gas

Aaron Ekblad had one of the greatest seasons for a rookie defenseman, scoring 39 points, good enough for third most points by an 18 year-old defenseman in NHL history. He managed all that while playing against the opposing teams top lines every game.

If the Panthers want to take that next step from bubble playoff team to serious playoff contender, they need Ekblad to evolve into one of the league’s elite defenseman. I’m talking a legit true number-one guy like a Duncan Keith or Drew Doughty. Ekblad has all the tools to reach that level, it’s just a matter of when.

He must also avoid the dreaded sophomore slump this season. Jonathan Huberdeau experienced it after winning the Calder Trophy in 2013. Ekblad has shown maturity above his years so I doubt he’ll struggle, but you never know.

Goaltending Holds Up

Roberto Luongo is now 36 years-old, which may not seem so old to many people, but in the hockey world is pretty old to still be playing. Most players eventually regress as they get up there in age, with no exception for goaltenders.

Even still, Luongo had a his best statistical season last year with a .921 save percentage since his 2010-2011 season with Vancouver, when he finished with a .928 save percentage. Backup Al Montoya did the Panthers no favors last season, finishing with a .892 save percentage in 20 games played.

The Panthers will rely on Luongo heavily again this season. If Luongo’s age catches up to him, the Panthers will end up returning to the bottom of the NHL standings. Alternatively, if the goaltending remains at a high level, the Panthers should compete for a playoff spot.