Feb 13, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Panthers 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

All of a sudden, the Florida Panthers are playing up to their potential. They completely whacked the previously-hot Dallas Stars in their own building, who had no answers to slow down the Panthers offense en route to a 6-2 smackdown.

Let’s get right into all the good stuff for the Panthers:

3 GOOD THINGS

Defensive scoring. Big plays from Dmitry Kulikov and Aaron Ekblad highlighted a much better effort offensively from the Panthers’ blue line. Kulikov’s shot created Dave Bolland’s goal, and Ekblad’s aggressive play on the rush created his own goal after picking up a smart drop-pass from Nick Bjugstad. When the defense joins the play on offense, the Panthers are far more dangerous.

Big Cubano is El Hefe. What a big-time performance again from the Panthers’ back-up goalie. Al Montoya wasn’t exactly given a chance against a lethal Dallas offense, but he stepped up in a big way, stopping 33 of 35 shots. The Panthers have had good goaltending in every game this year, and it’s a relief that Gerard Gallant can count on his back-up to give Roberto Luongo some needed rest.

Team win. Brand new lines, back-up goalie, against a red-hot team, no problem. The Panthers got goals from all four lines, plus an extra one from a defenseman (Aaron Ekblad). Everybody had a hand in the Panthers’ win, and it might prove to be one of the Panthers’ best efforts of the year.

3 BAD THINGS

Early penalties are crap. 1:51 into the Stars match, the Panthers were a man down after an Alex Petrovic delay of game. The Stars would cash in on the power play, and the Panther fans’ stomachs sank. Give credit to the team for fighting back gloriously (4 unanswered goals!) but early goals are not an efficient way to start games.

No stopping Jamie Benn. He might have the best shot in hockey, but after a two-goal performances against the Panthers earlier in the season, he shouldn’t have taken the Panthers by surprise. Once again, Benn netted two goals. When you score six goals you can afford to give up a couple, but the Florida Panthers need to find a way to stop the star power in the league.

Goalie controversy? Just kidding.