Devil of a Schedule
After the Caps doubled up on the Cats 4-2 on Sunday and having previously played, and beat, Carolina and NY Rangers – you’d think the schedule would start to ease up a little; but no such luck. In the next seven games, five of them will be against teams that are a-top of their respective divisional standings (New Jersey x2, Boston x2 and Washington – again). And the two that aren’t top of their respective divisions; are both in playoff positions at the moment (Chicago and NY Rangers).
The day before the trade deadline of March 4; it temporarily eases up for Florida with a game at Atlanta, but then we’re right back at it again with a full-on playoff contest with the Penguins the day after the deadline. It is truly a devil of a schedule – for several reasons…
The most obvious one is that the Panthers risk losing games and ending up on the wrong side of the playoff line – once the no-trade period kicks in. Secondly, a loss of momentum could lead to an equally detrimental loss of confidence going in to that vital last period of the season. Thirdly it could have an adverse effect on Florida’s potential trade deadline dealings. If we start losing games – that may very well convince Jay Bouwmeester to not sign a new deal and the management could then be in a situation of having to trade our arguably best player for picks and promising youngsters or lose him for nothing in the summer.
Now these are all possible scenarios, but equally possible (well, maybe slightly less if you pay much mind to the current standings) is that things go the other way: Panthers string together some wins, gain confidence from beating some of the best teams in the league and maybe convince Bo to stay instead.
I guess we’ll all see soon enough what happens and meanwhile what we hope – or fear – when looking at the upcoming schedule; will probably be more determined of our personal outlook (is the glass half empty or half full) then actual facts and rational predictions. Nonetheless, this will be an important time and stretch of games that could very well determine how the season ends – in celebration of making a run in the playoffs or lamenting of missed opportunities (again)?
Either way, today the test will be a New Jersey Devils side that has been in scintillating form of late; winning four consecutive games and eight out of their last 10 games. Over the course of the weekend they re-established their title credentials by beating both conference leaders Boston (1-0) and San Jose (6-5). Brodeur’s back-up Scott Clemmensen has continued his outstanding play between the pipes and has 25 victories on the season and two shutouts in his last three games. To add to that he is 2-0 and has 1.45 goals against average against the Panthers this season.
- Panthers face a difficult schedule that includes NJ Devils, Washington, Boston, Chicago and NY Rangers in the next seven contests. Best to be ready to battle from the first drop of the puck!
Meanwhile, all I can do is hum along to and echo the sentiments of a Sheryl Crow song:
“No one said it would be easy
But no one said it’d be this hard
No one said it would be easy
No one thought we’d come this far”
Hopefully the mood tomorrow will be sung in a less bittersweet tune and more to the up-beat tempo and vibrancy that would accompany a Latin dance. Or why not celebrate with the dancing cowboy in the Bank Atlantic Center tonight, if all goes well. The Cats could sure need any vocal support you’d be willing to lend.
And me, I’m still nursing a sore throat after some rabidly incessant screaming when unexpectedly beating the Rangers in that thrilling shootout on Friday….
