Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

Having had a holiday from hockey I now feel ready to dig in to and continue this hockey blog about the Florida Panthers. It’s been a busy time for the Cats and the Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton. After Jacques Martin skipped the ship, to take up the Head Coaching job with the Habs, Sexton has been left with a real tangled mess to try to sort out. So let’s sum up and take a look at what moves he has done so far:

May 29th: Panthers sign G Alexander Sálak

Before Jacques signed off with the Panthers he made a move for, and signed, goalie prospect Alexander Sálak from TPS Turku of the Finnish League. The 22-year old goalie was signed to an entry level contract. The previously undrafted prospect played 53 games last season for TPS, posting a 2.40 GAA and .923 save percentage.

June: Panthers Development Camp in Toronto

One of Randy Sexton’s first priorities, when stepping in to Martin’s shoes, was to talk to the agents of restricted and unrestricted free agents Bouwmeester and Booth. While those attempts may have stolen most of the pundits’ attention, Randy also took time to visit the Panthers’ Development Camp – held in Toronto, Canada. He was quoted as expressing himself as very impressed with a trio of youngsters: Michal Repik, Keaton Ellerby and Michael Frolik. Whilst Frolik has already burst through the NHL scene, Sexton’s comments could also be seen as foreboding the imminent breakthrough of Repik and Ellerby on the big scene as well. Later Sexton also mentioned that D Jason Garrison could be ready to push for a place in the Panthers’ squad.

June 19th: Steven Reinprecht signed to 3-year deal

Randy Sexton’s first major move was for pending UFA Steven Reinprecht of the Phoenix Coyotes. The Panthers gave away the rights to Stefan Meyer, who was one of the leading scorers in Florida’s Rochester farm team last season, and in return received the exclusive negotiating rights to the veteran center Reinprecht. Steven was then quickly tied to a 3-year deal. The 33-year old will bring a wealth of Stanley Cup experience after having tasted glory with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001. To the Panthers he also adds some competition for the center slots of the team. Described as a high character (was assistant captain in Phoenix) and hard working player, Sexton will be hoping that Steven can help the Cats win a few more face-offs while also injecting some speed into the team.

June 26th: NHL Entry Draft in Montreal; Day One

With the spectacle that is the Entry Draft underway in Montreal last Friday, people were expecting plenty of pending moves to be announced. However, with the notable exception of the blockbuster move of Chris Pronger to Philadelphia from Anaheim, it turned out to be a quiet occasion. Not even Jay Bouwmeester’s name was read by the commissioner – to most people’s surprise.

NY Islanders sealed John Tavares with their top pick and Tampa Bay sealed much needed blueline talent in the form of the giant puck moving Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman with the #2 pick. Matt Duchene went third; to his favorite team the Colorado Avalanche. These were of course the “Big Three” names of the draft and the selection of them went pretty much the way everyone had expected.

Expected to go higher in the draft was the talented puck moving Russian defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (Ranked #11). Many analysts projected him to go among the top ten and it must have come as quite a surprise to Randy Sexton that the talented defenseman was still around when it was time for the Panthers to pick at #14. Teams had been scared off Dmitry due to the “Russian factor”, that is the fear that a Russian player might leave for the KHL without compensation – now or in the future, but Sexton and chief scout Scott Luce knew a steal when they saw one and selected the defenseman with their first round pick (14th overall).

Scott’s verdict of Kulikov was summed up in four words: “Smart, driven, determined and passionate”. In addition to this, the player himself has been said his lifelong dream was to play in the NHL, and for a Russian to come to Florida to live and work – it surely is a dream move in more than one way. In fact, he might even be plying his trade here in South Florida this coming autumn already. Scott Luce at least seems to think he has that kind of immediate upside. At the very least he’ll be given a fair chance to make an immediate impact this coming season.

The last year Kulikov has been playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and won the Rookie of the Year Award after scoring 62 points (12 goals) for Drummondville. Drummondville’s assistant coach Danny Brooks said about Dmitry: “He could’ve made life easy and stayed in Yaroslavl Locomotiv and been a superstar in the KHL. But his dream is to play in the NHL and bring his family from Russia to North America….He’s a North American player who happens to have a Russian last name.”

June 27th: NHL Entry Draft in Montreal; Day Two

Jay Bouwmeester was finally put out of his misery here in South Florida and was traded to the Calgary Flames for their 3rd Round Pick in this year’s draft and the rights to pending UFA Jordan Leopold (D). Since then Bo has signed a 5-year deal with the Flames worth #6.68 million a year and he seems happy enough to be back in Alberta, Canada. The Cats has of yet, not been able to tie down Leopold to any deal, but are hoping Keith Ballard’s old collage buddy and golf partner – will want to partner Keith on the ice as well. We’ll see I guess…

As the actual day two of the draft got underway, the Panthers selected Drew Shore from the United States National Team Development Program. The 6-2, 200 pound center, was ranked at #28, and expected to go in the first round. But the Cats managed to nab him at #44 instead. The upside for Florida is that they get a solid, big center prospect; who also just happens to be American. This could be a very good steal by Sexton and Luce.

Thanks to the Bo trade the Cats also had a third round selection to make. With the #67 pick Florida grabbed C/RW Josh Birkholz from Fargo Force. The 6-1, 182 pound winger, is currently taking classes at the University of Minnesota and working out with Keith Ballard. It seems the Panthers may soon need to start paying Ballard some extra money for all the networking, on behalf of the organization, that he seems to be doing… Anyway, with Birkholz the Cats get another solid American prospect to swell to the current ranks.

Randy Sexton however felt the Panthers needed to further enlarge that contingent of prospects and moved to secure Los Angeles’ 4th (#107) and 5th (#138) Round selections in this year’s draft – in exchange for a 3rd Round pick in 2010.

With those picks the Panthers selected two more forwards; LW Garrett Wilson (#107), a gritty winger from Owen Sound, and C Wade Megan (#138), who’ll attend Boston University this spring – after graduating from a boarding school in Connecticut.

In between those picks, also in the fifth-round, the Cats selected C Corban Knight (#135), an offensive centerman that will attend the University of North Dakota this coming season – after having led all rookies in scoring in the Alberta Junior Hockey League this previous campaign.

Last, but not least, the Panthers selected 19-year old C Scott Timmins in the 6th Round (#165). Timmins is a player Coach Peter DeBoer knows well from his Kitchener days and scout Scott Luce believes the player is one to step up and turn pro immediately. Timmins is a good skater that won back-to-back Memorial Cups for Kitchener and Windsor.

June 30th: The Day before Free Agency

With the onset of free agency the Panthers organization, and Assistant (now inter-rim) GM Randy Sexton in particular, are by necessity going to be very active. It started on the 29th already as C Brett McLean was placed on unconditional waivers. Brett had a miserable season last year and his $1.7 million contract is now up in the air. Question is: If no one takes McLean on waivers; will his contract be bought out? In such case the Panthers would be on the hook for two-thirds of the remaining amount of the deal.

Janis Spukts, the Latvian center that played in Rochester last year, went public with his frustrations and has now been released to play in Europe instead. Other current Rochester players that were pending RFA’s and have not been handed any offers so far include: Drew Larman, Tanner Glass, Franklin MacDonald and David Shantz. Current Panthers player Steve Eminger, acquired on last trade deadline, hasn’t either been offered any qualifying deal.

Sexton however admits that he’d like to re-sign a couple of these players, including Glass and Eminger, but didn’t want to sign them before free agency. In Steve’s case it is due to the fact that he played so many games with the Lightning last season that his qualifying salary would be too juicy for Florida. Instead they are willing to take their chances with him as a pending free agent.

Two pending RFA players that have been offered qualifying offers are Panthers star David Booth and prospect David Brine. Booth will be up for a considerable pay-rise and has expressed his willingness to sign a long-term deal with the organization. And since the departure of Bouwmeester; he is now set to be the face of the franchise and a deal should be able to be sorted out before long.

Of the pending UFA’s Richard Zednik has already signed a deal that will take him to Russia’s KHL next season, whilst Nick Boynton is set to be released. Nick has a big contract and since his falling-out with Coach DeBoer has not been seen as a player with a future within the organization.

Of the other free agents that Sexton has expressed an interest in re-signing, we find veterans such as Karlis Skrastins, Ville Peltonen and Radek Dvorak. Whether or not this trio of players will be re-signed for next season – will largely come down to what their wage demands will be. It will perhaps also depend on whether the Panthers are able to compete for the signatures of any quality free agents available elsewhere. Likely is that one or two of these players will return to the fold next season; seeing as they all have been instrumental in Florida’s largely successful penalty-kill unit this previous campaign and seem settled in the area.

A couple of other players that will be UFA’s are Anthony Stewart, after he was not handed any qualifying offer and Craig Anderson. It seems unlikely either will re-sign with the Panthers, but it’s still a possibility for both. Anthony didn’t develop in the way the organization had hoped and may need to find pastures new for the coming campaign. In Craig’s case the opposite is true and he now feels ready for a starting gig in net and with Vokoun still with the Cats – he won’t get that here. If he fails to land that move however; then he may consider re-signing for Florida, but it seems very unlikely at the moment.

It will be an interesting next few days and much of the suspense will be to see what Randy Sexton and the Panthers do about their free agents and whether or not they can compete on the market for the plentiful plethora of skilled free agents available. It also remains to be seen if Randy is given the confidence to be take the reigns full time as GM – or if a new face will be brought in for the job. What happens over the next week is likely to settle both those questions…

Montreal Canadiens have been on the lookout for a new Head Coach for a while now, but that it would be Florida Panthers’ General Manager Jacques Martin that would come to occupy the position, undoubtedly would have came as a bolt out of the blue for many-a hockey fan.

Having signed a contract extension with the Panthers last may through the 2011-12 season, it would appear that the top Floridian brass, now have deemed Martin expendable and given the Habs a chance to pounce on the experienced coach. Reportedly he has signed a four year contract with his new club.

Jacques had, previous to his five years with the Panthers organization, also coached Ottawa and St. Louis. He will need to utilize all his accumulated wealth of experience when attempting to resurrect the crumbling fortunes of the centennial celebrators in Montreal.

For the Florida Panthers, Jacques exit will leave a considerable hole in the organization at a crucial point in the season. With the drafts around the corner and many players with contracts set to expire, this is possibly the worst possible time to lose your General Manager!

Florida’s owner/general partner Alan Cohen announced meanwhile that alternate governor and hall of famer William A. Torrey “will lead the search for the team’s next general manager and will work with Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton on all hockey operations as related to the draft, player trades and signings during this interim period”.

For many Panthers fans this latest development will likely upset more than one alarmbell; especially since Jacques Martin and Head Coach Peter DeBoer seemed to be on the cusp of a budding partnership, which almost brought fruition – in the form of a playoff spot – in the first attempt this bygone season.

Now Pete and the fans will be looking forward with a mixed bag of anxiety and expectations; at who will be appointed as the next Panthers’ GM.

In hindsight it seems I was not far off in my 1st Round predictions. A couple were spot on, whilst the ones I missed were tellingly the close series’, especially the 7 game ones were I picked the wrong game 7 winners on both occasions. Nonetheless, undeterred, perhaps even a bit encouraged, I shall here make my Conference Semi Final predictions too. So let’s start on the home front, in the East, where two Southeastern teams are holding the divisional flag high – despite its many critics (notably in the North)…

East

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have done very well to even be in this position, but question is: Can they do it again? Beating New Jersey in those closely fought seven game battles was impressive; I for one would have tipped the Devils to make it to another Stanley Cup Final, but the Carolinians obviously had other plans. Boston meanwhile made short shrift of the drunken centennial celebrators north of the border and swiftly disposed of its sorry corpse (can’t help but think the Panthers would have put up a sterner test for the Bruins than the Habs did).

Anyhow, Boston remains the Conference favorites and seems like a solid team without any real flaws, certainly none that has been obvious so far anyway, and the Canes will find it difficult to upset the buzzing B’s. It could still be a tight series, but I’m guessing most of the juice is gone from the sons of Raleigh and that the Bruins will be the main beneficiaries of that tight series against the Devils. It could even be a sweep, but the Carolinians are too good on home ice for that surely?

My Bet: Boston wins the series 4-1.

Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

This should be a real dogfight and a series as close to impossible, as is possible(?), to predict. If however, as I think it will, this series goes all the way done the wire; the Penguins could have an edge in the fact that they played two games less that the Capitals in the opening round. Indeed, I think this may eventually tip the balance and present Pittsburgh with another crack at the not so coveted Conference Cup.

And in the name of consistency, (I didn’t, afterall, think the Caps would see off the Rangers in that seventh game), so I guess my hands are tied: The experience gained from last year, the superstars at their disposal and the extra rest from the first round will perhaps be enough to see the wobbly Penguins grab a spot in the Conference final. Yet, I have a feeling I might just be dreadfully wrong about this one… I guess we’ll see soon enough…

My Bet: Pittsburgh wins the series 4-3.

West

Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim really impressed when they saw off the President Trophy winners in the previous round and will now set their sights on the reigning Stanley Cup Champions from Detroit. Could it be another upset on the apple cart? Probably not…

The Detroit Red Wings showed their credentials when sweeping the floor of the Columbus New Jackets, and the players showed they have another level to reach in the playoffs, compared to regular season sludge; not least the experienced goalie Chris Osgood. There is plenty of pedigree in the Anaheim locker room also, but you need depth they don’t have to beat the Wings in a potential seven game series. It’s not enough with two superstar blueliners and a few other odds and ends to bypass Zetterberg, Datsyuk and C/O. It won’t be another sweep, but I’d be surprised if the Ducks pick up more than a couple of games from this battle.

My Bet: Detroit wins the series 4-1.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

As I predicted the Canucks made short shrift with the young Blues team, but the youngster from Chicago will pose a sterner test. Having seen off the brutes from Calgary, the Blackhawks have shown themselves to be legitimate contenders in their own right. Both teams have exceptional goaltending to fall back on and this will likely be a thriller series all the way. Perhaps the slight edge in experience that players such as Mats Sundin bring to the table will be that crucial extra ingredient in the end?

Remains to be seen what wins this series for the victorious team, but if I have to pick one… it would have to be the Canucks. Home ice advantage and some added veteran leadership makes them seem like a slightly healthier contender than the Hawks of Chicago. It will be a much anticipated series however and one worth watching more closely as it evolves and progresses.

My Bet: Vancouver wins the series 4-3.

A mere few minutes prior to the first puck dropping in anger, in the Stanley Cup 2009 Playoffs, I shall dare a preliminary prediction of what will unfold in the first Round of 16. Ready to eat my words in a week or two; here is my initial bet:

East

Boston vs. Montreal

What a match-up! Two rivals going head-to-head in the first round. Montreal celebrating 100 years; whilst Boston celebrates winning the Eastern Conference, this year. It will most likely be a tough series with sparks flying. However, Boston has, in my view, the upper hand both when it comes to physical strength and overall quality – and last but not least – goaltending.

My bet: Boston wins the series 4-1.

Washington vs. NY Rangers

Will the offensive prowess of the Capitals trump the gritty grinding Rangers down? I think that this will be a game that goes all the way down the wire, but the New Yorkers superior goaltending in the form of Henrik Lundqvist may very well be the difference in the end.

My bet: NY Rangers win series 4-3.

New Jersey vs. Carolina

Two teams similar in many ways and with plenty of tools to make a concerted run in the playoffs. However, one of them must be eliminated and odds are it will be fellow Southeasterners Carolina which is forced to fold in the end. Considering both sides have superb goaltending, it will be many close games, probably with a few overtime victories that will be decisive. My guess is that the Devils have the extra manpower and grit to grind down the Hurricanes.

My bet: New Jersey win series 4-3.

Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia

A resurgent Penguins side should have the quality to see of a Flyers side that lack either good goaltending or a solid defense. Too many penalties from their aggressive style brand of hockey – could also be costly if the Pittsburgh superstars are given too much room to operate in. Pittsburgh is a dark horse in this year’s Stanley Cup and will be a threat to anyone in the East anyway. Should be able to see off Philadelphia rather comfortably in the end – although it may hurt along the way…

My bet: Pittsburgh win series 4-1.

West

San Jose vs. Anaheim

Probably the one team the Sharks didn’t want to meet and the one they could have problems seeing off in the end. The power of a resurgent Ducks’ side is not to be underestimated. Although, I can’t quite see the President Trophy winners being eliminated in the first round, they could come too close for comfort.

My bet: San Jose win series 4-3.

Detroit vs. Columbus

So, Columbus finally made it to the postseason, aye? Well, hope they enjoyed the ride up until this point; because it’s likely to be a case of “here, but no further”. The reigning Stanley Cup champions should, despite a shaky penalty kill and goaltending, have enough juice to see off the Jackets. Might be a spill or two along the way, but this should be one for the bank.

My bet: Detroit win series 4-1.

Vancouver vs. St. Louis

Like their fellow Central Division foes Columbus, St. Louis will be thrilled to be in a playoff at all, but are unlikely to progress – despite an impressive end to the regular season. Could be a premature closing stage for the Blues, after a mere four games played, but that would be too cruel wouldn’t it?

My bet: Vancouver win series 4-0.

Chicago vs. Calgary

This is likely to be the most interesting game from a neutrals perspective. Chicago are a young up-and-coming side that have done exceptionally well to get this far and in the manner they have achieved their success. Calgary made the biggest splash on transfer deadline day by acquiring the old Panther captain Olli Jokinen. Whether he’ll be the Flames’ answer to playoff success I’ll leave unsaid, but at least the guy gets to play in the playoffs once… Would expect the grit and strength of Calgary to be the tipping point somewhere along the road in this series, question is if skill and style can overcome muscle hockey and cause what, despite ranking, must be seen as an upset. I don’t think so, but I hope I’m wrong…

My bet: Calgary win series 4-2.

To be honest I doubted we’d be here – with three games left and having a, not great, but good shot at the playoffs – yet here we are and tonight is one of those nights where things could essentially, although not mathematically, be decided.

Deciding – it would almost certainly be if the Panthers lost and the NY Rangers beat Montreal in the ‘Garden’. However, if we win – we’re still in it. But what a game to win! Away to Philadelphia… One of the toughest, literally, home teams in the league. Yes, we beat them there on March 26th, so its definitely possible, but will lightning really strike twice?

As this the final week began yesterday, some good news came to Florida’s aid as Montreal dropped a 2-1 lead and lost at home to Ottawa 2-3, in no small part thanks to Dany Heatley; who scored twice to turn the game on its head. The Habs looked all but set to claim a playoff berth, but with injuries to key defenders Andrei Markov and Mathieu Schneider, their powerplay has fallen like a house of cards (having previously scored 50% of the teams goals in its recent resurgence). Considering this, despite having a three point advantage on both Rangers and Panthers, the Canadiens have every right to be worried and looking over their collective shoulders.

Another piece of good Floridian news, was that Buffalo also lost at home. Perhaps more of an expected defeat as they hosted the Detroit Red Wings; who have won 16 out of the last 18 games versus the Sabres. No change to that woeful statistic as the Wings came away with a 4-1 win on the night. Detroit seemed to be in a constant powerplay as they utilized an unusual tactic by placing a player in front of goalie Ryan Miller at all times when attacking – whether 5on5 or on the powerplay. Odd, but effective it seemed as the Sabres scrambled for an answer to the unwanted offensive presence of Detroit’s power-forwards on the edge of the crease.

So, with Buffalo effectively out of the race, it’s now a three horse sprint. Florida competes with the NY Rangers and the limping, yet leading, Montreal Canadiens. It should be a thrilling rush of emotion and hockey desperation down this stretch!

And in the playoff chasing, last week of regular season, possibly no night will be of more importance than tonight.

Montreal travel to New York for a crucial head-to-head battle with the Rangers. Panthers’ fans will be hoping that this contest will finish a two point game and not a three point affair. But, whoever comes out on-top of that fight; Florida still need to take care of their own business – first and foremost. A point will be of absolute necessity, and most likely – unless Rangers lose – nothing but a victory will suffice in such a tight race. Not an easy task, but it should be enough motivation for the Cats to bring their A-game to the rink.

Shame only that the game isn’t aired on local television… but for those that have NHL Center Ice – at least you’ll have an exciting game to look forward to….

Lastly, a little note about the Florida Panthers being in the limelight as of late.

Our plight and search for some post-season action has not gone unnoticed around the hockey world. I’ve seen several articles – ranging from Canada to Sweden – that focus on the Panthers and our hunt for a playoff spot. Most articles focus on our nine years on the outside looking in, the inconsistency of the teams’ play this year and coach DeBoer’s optimistic statements that the club will make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Keith Ballard’s hipmongous-check of Evgeni Malkin is catching headlines and burning up at YouTube (see it below in previous post!)

The Panthers have become a bit of the “forgotten team” outside of South Florida, heck, even in South Florida; and suddenly people are realizing we have a hockey team here – that actually has a chance of achieving something. And more than one eyebrow is being raised, both on this and the opposite side of the North Atlantic, let me tell you!

Nonetheless, the undertone is still a bit condescending and it seems few really believe we have what it takes. With our record, one can’t help but being a bit skeptic too. We the fans, know better than any outsiders ever will, the constant crushed hopes and disillusionment that goes with the package of being a Panthers fan; and probably none is more skeptic of our chances than we, right?

Anyway, at the end of the day, all we can do is hope for a miracle – that somehow we’ll make the post-season. And tonight I’ll be holding my thumbs for a victory in Philly. Oh how sweet that would be….

Keith Ballard single-handedly won the game for the Florida Panthers yesterday with two key-moments at the end of the first period. With the game locked at one and the Penguins circling Florida’s wagon-like-defense, getting shots off in bunches at Vokoun, Keith stepped up at the blue-line and sent Evgeni Malkin spinning in to a seemingly never-ending cosmic revolution – off a monstrous hip-check that Malkin won’t ever forget.

[Video] The Russian star not only experienced weightlessness for a moment, but was also sent spinning right through the center of our Universe; through its supermassive black hole of pending darkness – before crashing out the other side – plummeting head-first onto the unforgiving ice in Sunrise, Florida. No wonder Malkin looked dazed and confused mere moments later as he checked his vital signs to see if indeed he was still on planet Earth or had left for pastures unknown….[/Video]

See this outrageous hip-check below and marvel in Evgeni’s somersault! Also see Ballard noseburning Crosby after the latter’s juvenile retaliation reaction!!

Penguins captain Sid “the Kid” reacted babyishly by squaring up to Ballard and instigating a fight. It’s ridiculous that a clean hit should command a fight every time, but that’s how the NHL works these days and until someone puts a stop to that childish like-for-like mentality, we’ll just have to live with it. Keith is no stranger to immature responses, having recently received one from Philadelphia’s own coward in residence Scott Hartnell – the previous week on a similar good hip-check on the toddler in question.

Ballard stood up as he always does; defended himself and gave Crosby a sore noseburn for his efforts.

The hit sparked the 18000+ crowd no end and put some zest back in to the Panthers’ zeal. They came out a changed team in the second and dominated the rest of the game; winning 4-2 in the end. And Crosby and Malkin? They disappeared into a corner somewhere and licked their ego’s – as in the remaining contest they were virtually invisible.

Three straight and rather unexpected victories – after the preceding poor spell – have brought the Panthers back into playoff contention. It’s back to scoreboard watching! And as claimed in my previous post it is the Rangers, and not the Canadiens, we should be eyeing. The New Yorkers have the tougher schedule of the two and the shoddier form at the moment. This breakdown was confirmed yesterday as both teams were in action.

The Montreal Canadiens secured two points by beating bottom dwellers NY Islanders comprehensively 5-1. The Habs now jump into seventh, much thanks to their greatly improved powerplay – which yesterday resulted in 3 goals. Since Mathieu Schneider re-joined Montreal and Saku Koivu returned to good health; the Habs powerplay has suddenly become lethal and free-scoring. Just at the right time too!

This while the Islanders may not shed any tears for their loss against the Canadiens – after all – what’s losing a game if it hurts your worst rivals’ chances of success? Together with a third period collapse by the Rangers themselves in Raleigh, it means the New Yorkers are down to eighth – only two points ahead of the Panthers, who have a game in hand.

Florida could finally count on some help and surprisingly it came from our Southeastern rivals Carolina. The Hurricanes caught the Rangers napping in the final period and scored two unanswered goals to win the contest 4-2. The win means Carolina have won seven in a row – overall – and the last ten home games; a new franchise record.

Winning at home is what the Panthers will be seeking to do tonight. With the NY Rangers in striking distance; the game against the Atlanta Thrashers becomes all the more important.

But, here’s a warning; don’t underestimate the Georgians! They have acted as spoilers in the latter part of the season and have done it very well; scoring goals in bunches and upsetting may-a-team down the stretch. Last it was the Sabres that lost in a shootout that effectively ended their realistic claims for a playoff spot. Atlanta would love to do the same to the Cats…

So, while the Florida Panthers have been handed a lifeline by the NY Rangers’ loss, it will mean nothing if we lose tonight. It’s all hands on deck, keep shuffling those boards and pumping shots at goal!

The Cats now the secret to their own success and it is all about team-play and hard work. Step away from that proven line of success and the Thrashers will burn us, make no doubt. This is all a mental game at this stage of the competition and the Panthers need to show some poise and gusto – to pick up the spoils from this contest.

Trickier games are around the corner; Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington, so the Atlanta games are indeed must-win contests….

Just push in the goalie, after he’s made the save. That’s the way to do it! Or at least it’s what the refs thought in Toronto, when the Leafs faced the Caps last. And here’s proof below:

And Gerber has now been suspended for 3 games for bumping the ref who allowed this outrageous goal. But can you blame him for being upset?

It’s nice to see the NHL sticks to some of their rules, the suspension is an automatic one, but shouldn’t this be reviewed further as well by the NHL? Is this the message they want to send out to players? Push the goalie in and you’ve got yourself a goal.

I really, really, hope not.

And so it has been the story with the refs as of late. Some skinny calls on the ice, and you can always count on those goalies to react!!

Rask, the future of Bruins goal tending, has a meltdown on the ice.

Now, the question is, should this incident go to video review to have a closer look? I mean, I could swear that one of those goals was a rebound … which is shameful for a ref to allow. In my opinion, it shouldn’t matter what level it is – NHL, AHL – rules are rules. What do you think?