Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

The Florida Panthers players, staff and fans are in the midst of gearing up for an epic combat in Raleigh this evening. The eighth spot is up for grabs and whoever wins the contest will set themselves in pole position, as we enter a hectic and very thorny stretch of games here in February for the Cats and the other playoff hopefuls.

Neither combatants saw action last night, but there were skirmishes elsewhere with massive implications for the Eastern Conference playoff race. Let’s take a look at the results and standings to see what the repercussions are for Florida.

New York Islanders @ New Jersey Devils 2-4

The Islanders put up a good fight, especially their goaltender MacDonald saved any potential blushes with an impressive performance. However, the Devils proved too good for the New Yorkers and especially Langenbrunner and Parise continued their goalscoring ways with two each; winning the game for New Jersey 4-2.

This shouldn’t have too much bearing on Florida as New Jersey look far too classy to ever get involved in the playoff race, they are more comfortable up-front among the Divisional leaders.

Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers 4-5 SO

The big story here was that Washington defenseman Mike Green continued scoring (2) to tie the record consecutive goals scored for a defenseman in the league. Nonetheless it proved not to be enough for the Caps as the Rangers – for the ninth time this season – prevailed in the shootout. If they ever do make the playoffs they owe a debt of gratitude to goalie Lundqvist who keeps winnings those shootout challenges for his team. Another positive for Rangers was that they finally managed to score some goals(!)

Disappointing for the Cats as we would have hoped a dejected Rangers side would show up here in Sunrise tomorrow and that we then would be able to rise past them in the standings. Yet, by getting another shootout win in New York, it should see their confidence levels markedly increase and it will now be another tough game for the Panthers. No one seriously doubts at this moment in time that Washington won’t win the Southeast Division and qualify for the playoffs, but they can nonetheless not afford to start relaxing quite yet.

Chicago Blackhawks @ Atlanta Thrashers 3-1

The Atlanta Thrashers are of course dead and buried as far as the playoffs are concerned, but they did put up a massive effort against the Hawks and only an stupendous string of saves from Khabibulin could stop them from winning this game. Chicago are not as comfortable away from home, but have now strung together some nice victories on this latest 8 game road trip they’ve been on.

Blackhawks will grace the Bank Atlantic Center ice next Thursday, and looking at this result it will be a tough game for the Panthers. They are young, hungry and aggressive – it will certainly be a good test for Florida to see how well we match-up with the better Western teams. As for Atlanta the best they can wish for at the moment is getting that No.1 draft pick this summer…

Ottawa Senators @ Buffalo Sabres 3-1

The Sabres were let down by their bungling power-play and could not get enough pressure on the Ottawa net to score plural goals and win this game. The Senators meanwhile had a good game as their top-line was in the mood to play. That is not always the case, but when they are – Ottawa win more often than not. Shame for them it happens at a point in the season when it doesn’t really mean that much; the playoffs remains firmly out of the Senators reach.

Ottawa win one for the books and Panthers fans will be delighted. This means we are merely two points behind the Sabres with two games in hand! Also, it must be mentioned, the loss of top-scorer Vanek for several weeks will be a very tough blow to Buffalo’s hopes of making the post-season. But then again that is the risk you take as a club if you are too dependent on one or a couple of players to perform. Maybe Ottawa should take some notes here…

San Jose Sharks @ Pittsburgh Penguins 1-2 SO

After affirming their Stanley Cup credentials against Boston (5-2), the Sharks came up empty handed against a more desperate Penguins side. It was a goalie match-up that went all the way to a shootout; were Crosby scored the winner on Sharks goaltender Boucher. Both netminders had spectacular games between the pipes, but it was Fleury that claimed the bragging rights at the end of the tiebreaker.

Not good for Florida as the Sharks again let us down badly. They have now in short time lost both against Carolina and Pittsburgh and San Jose have certainly not been helping us in the playoff-scramble one bit. (Maybe it is there revenge on us for beating them earlier in the season…) Anyway, Pittsburgh win and put themselves within a point of the Panthers, but with more games played. The Penguins may prove to be a difficult team to shake off; which makes it all the more important to beat Carolina and catch up with Buffalo tonight.

Montréal Canadiens @ Edmonton Oilers 2-7

Montreal’s woeful trip to the Northwestern parts of Canada continued with another hammering; this time against Edmonton. In truth the Oilers just had one of those days were all the pucks bounced their way and the Canadiens couldn’t get any breaks whatsoever (especially not the poor goaltender Price). Nonetheless a disturbing loss if you are a Montreal fan – hoping for centennial celebrations at the end of this year. The Oilers meanwhile put themselves back in to the playoff contention in the West with this win.

Losing seven straight games on the road is not the way to get yourself in to the playoffs, and indeed, Montreal may now be on the way of not only getting embroiled in the playoff race – but also slide down to the wrong side of the standings if nothing changes dramatically and soon. This is good news for the Panthers as it means we have another team locked in sight that we can catch up with – and pass – down the stretch.

The start to this season for Calgary was slow and bothersome. In San Jose the victories quickly piled up and the Sharks managed to pull together a wonderful home streak; by being undefeated in regular time for no less than 11 months. When the Flames visited on November the 13th they had no better luck than anyone else. Like Tampa Bay recently, they got a real spanking and lost 6-1. Revenge was on the cards as they met again yesterday.

Calgary coach Mike Keenan said of his team’s previous visit, that they had “improved so much since that game,” and they seemed very eager to show everyone just how much they had indeed improved. One man in particular had a point to make: Dion Phaneuf. The defenseman which was brought in to get some defensive scoring on the board – hadn’t in fact got a goal in the last 26 games for the Flames. It was time to get lopsided and step in to the breaches – to breach the waters of the shark pool.

San Jose, 20-0-2 on home ice this season, swiftly circled around its prey and drew first blood with less than a minute on the clock. Ryane Clowe beat Miikka Kiprusoff, nicely fed by former Lightning Dan Boyle in the slot; it was Clowe’s 19th goal of the season. The Flames, who had beaten the Sharks last week 5-2 in Calgary, didn’t get rattled and responded well to the added challenge. The equalizer came through Chris Conroy, early in the second period, but massive Shark center Joe Thornton restored order – later that same period.

Once again however, the Calgary players came back and it was a late goal in the second period by Langkow, on the power-play, that got the all-important leveler for the Flames, behind Nabokov in the net. When coming in to the third period it was a wide open game, between two hard working and very skilled teams, and it was anyone’s guess who’d come out on top.

Determined to break San Jose’s streak, and make a statement to the rest of the Western Conference, it was the visitors that would display the greatest indomitable attitude and take the spoils back to Calgary. And who got that momentous winning, 3-2 goal?

It was Dion Phanuef, breaking that 26 game streak without scoring, and handing his team a moral boost by shattering their rival’s impressive home stand. “I think it hit a stick. All I know is that it went in,” Phanuef said of goal. “I’d been getting a lot of chances. It feels good to get one.” Undoubtedly it did, and there is no discrimination in Hockey – they all count equally – the spectacular – and the ugly ones.

In this case it was worth more than just the two points, it could be argued. The confidence gained will probably help Calgary more than the points will: “We want to keep climbing, moving up,” said Flames captain Jarome Iginla. “We want to get to the next tier.” Indeed. And this is how that’s accomplished.

As for the San Jose Sharks they played a good game, despite losing, and will surely bounce right back again. But a warning shot has been fired and Calgary can’t be ignored any longer. They have quietly improved and now look ready to step out of the Sharks – considerable – shadow in the Western Conference. The Flames won this battle, but who wins the war – remains to be seen…

Signing proven veterans to bolster teams hopeful of contending for the Stanley Cup trophy is not a new tactic, but a proven one. This season has already seen a triplet of spectacular returns to the National Hockey League:

The most talked about was of course ex Toronto captain Mats Sundin who, after a much protracted search for a new home, finally settled on Vancouver. With Sundin’s established leadership and skill, the Canucks can look forward to some interesting times come the spring. In addition to this big name signing they also added some depth to the goalie department by acquiring Jason LaBarbera from the Los Angeles Kings. He will add some competition to the spot while Roberto Luongo remains out and could fill in case of future emergencies or simply when Luongo needs a break between the pipes. These signings should help keep Vancouver fresh this spring, and with perhaps another signing or two, they could be true contenders this season.

The most sensational return however, was by 43 year old Claude Lemieux. The four time Stanley Cup, and Conn Smythe, winner – signed a deal with San Jose Sharks and will begin playing with their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks. This to get him in trim after a five year absence from Hockey. He will bring a considerable wealth of experience when called in to action for San Jose – come the playoffs. He is expected to be called up after the March 4 deadline, when rosters can swell to 23.

“I didn’t go into this thinking I’d be on the top line or dominate or lead the team in playoff scoring, but I still think I can bring a lot as a role player,” Lemieux recently told the Edmonton Journal.

Undoubtedly he will bring valuable experience to the table, but will he still have the legs to keep up with opponents, or has perhaps time passed him by? Only time will tell.

The latest veteran to make a return to the league was Brendan Shanahan. Originally he had hoped to get a spot with his beloved Rangers, after his contract expired at the backend of last campaign, but finally had to give up as the New Yorkers couldn’t find any space or cap money for him. After taking his time it was finally the New Jersey Devils that came away with his signature. The 40-year old is expected to bring home a contract worth $ 1.5 million, earning just under half of that sum. General Manager Lou Lamoriello of the Devils said yesterday; that a contract would be worked out “in the next couple of days.” As the above mentioned veteran players, he’ll bring a wealth of experience to his new club. Certainly his arrival will be a real boost for the Jersey hopeful.

However, question is if the team won’t need more reinforcements, than merely an ageing Shanahan; if they want to be seen as legitimate contenders…