Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

Just when one thought it was over, the Panthers go and win their next three games and bring back that never ending flame of hope. Not sure if that’s a tune sung in an all-out positive note or not; after all – false hope we’ve had plenty of already…

Nonetheless, the Cats are a mere point behind Montreal, who won yesterday versus Chicago and have a game in hand, and two to the rear of the NY Rangers. With the Canadiens back to winning ways and with a favorable schedule, perhaps our biggest hope is that the Rangers will falter. They have a tough stretch of games that include Carolina next and Philadelphia in the last two games of the season. I bet the Flyers would love to upset the applecart of the Rangers!

For Florida the schedule looks good, only the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia games look like potential losses. Win one of those, the two against Atlanta, and then the last regular season game at home versus already playoff bound Washington… Doesn’t sound all that impossible after all!

Yet, it will require slip-ups from either Montreal or the Rangers for this scenario to pan out. If we’re really unlucky we could win our five remaining matches and still not make the playoffs. But then again, that’s the price you pay when you lack consistency; it becomes a scramble for points this time of year and a lot of scoreboard watching…

Yesterday the Panthers were clearly up for the fight (which certainly isn’t always the case against lower end opposition) and had a good command of the timorous Senators from the get-go. No goals in the first and tied at 1, at the end of the second, then came that timely highsticking four minute penalty from the visiting stick.

It is always a definite help to have a powerplay at the end of periods when players are already tired. Florida took full advantage and scored not one but two goals; 5on4. So the Panthers’ ailing powerplay got a shot in the arm and so did the confidence of the hometown players.

The Cats got a cushion in the third with the 4-1 goal and relaxed somewhat. Perhaps too much as the Senators fought back, a bit belatedly, and had some pressure in the Florida zone; scoring one.

Michael Frolik put a definite end to the contest when slotting home an empty netter in the dying minutes and put a little gloss to the 5-2 scoreline. It was his 20th goal of the season, a great mark for a rookie to hit! This kid has a big upside and could develop into a star of this league in the future; he certainly has the right mentality and bags of potential to go with it…

It will be interesting to follow his continued progress at this level and what will happen in the next few seasons. Whether we make the playoffs or not there are some positives to take in to the following season: Including the continued development of David Booth and Gregory Campbell, the solidity of the defensive core (if we can re-sign some of those pending free agents) and veteran leadership provided by Bryan McCabe and Cory Stillman. Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss also look like they might be able to go one better next season, while Tomas Vokoun has been unfairly targeted, but he remains a very solid goaltender.

Michael Frolik is gratulated after scoring against the Rangers in February. He scored his 20th of the season against Ottawa and it looks like he'll have a bright future in the league.

Nevertheless, the best way to get player to mature and gain experience is to get the team in to the playoffs; that would provide a real boost of confidence and know-how that is virtually invaluable to the progress of a hockey player. Fingers crossed, but we need to make that post-season!

For now, whatever happens, we can look forward to another week of thrilling – playoff chasin’ – hockey and, well, a glimmer of hope I guess!!

So the Florida Panthers won the game in Philly yesterday… *yawn*… What is it about these Cats anyway? What is their problem? How come they lose the most important games and then win the one’s no one expects them to have a chance of winning?

I mean, it’s great that they beat the Flyers and finally got two points on the board, but where was this defensive display when we really needed it? Against Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Carolina – these were the games we needed to win!

Again the Panthers show that there is a plentitude of resiliency in this team, yet somehow, they don’t seem to have the mental strength or wherewithal to close out games that really matter. It really is a mindboggling paradox, isn’t it?

Being best when it matters, or rather, the lack of that quality in Florida’s case; is what makes or breaks a team and their chance of success. Wednesday in Buffalo the Panthers broke – for the fifth time in a decisive crunch game – since the trade deadline. And that’s just not good enough!

That could equally be said about constantly rebounding from adversity too, winning in Philadelphia is great – but it won’t magically catapult us in to the playoffs.

Florida seem to always be a step behind the action and react to events unfolding, rather than being proactive and forcing the hand of lady luck, this is true for the timid Cats both on the ice and off it. Resiliency is a great trait to have in a hockey team, but what about consistency? Unless it’s consistently losing, as was the case for a long time (waaaay too long!) here in South Florida, it is actually quite necessary for success in any kind of league format.

And so it comes as no real surprise that we continue to trail the top eight with seven games to go on the regular season.

Meanwhile, as the Cats grounded the Flyers, the Canadiens took care of business against our fellow West Floridians. That means Montreal remain two points ahead of the Panthers in the standings; with one game in hand.

Considering that the Habs are rediscovering that long lost work ethic and the stars are starting to star; the future looks bleak indeed for the Cats. I reckon Florida need to win six of the seven remaining games – whilst praying for a French Canadian slip-up somewhere along the stretch.

That kind of feat is not only improbable, but low and behold, it will require a consistency level that the Panthers so far have not shown themselves capable of this season. So whilst beating the Flyers is always nice, especially in their own building, you’ll have to excuse this punter for being skeptical of Florida’s distant playoff hopes.

I think we had a great chance, but spurned it – over and over – and that the final straw, when we summarize the season, came in Buffalo. Yet, I hope I’m wrong. I just don’t think so…
What is your opinion:

Is it still realistic to hope for a playoff in South Florida?

And so, a couple of notes from last night’s game:

Craig Anderson was back in goal, and as usually is the case when called upon; he did a good job. Yet, the 40 saves he made were, with the exception of one or two, not of top-notch-quality. So it isn’t really reason enough to get all carried away just yet. The Florida Panthers website and coach Peter DeBoer will of course make a big deal of the number of saves, but they both have ulterior motives for that.

The Panthers franchise will grip at any straw of playoff hope and emerging heroes; as they are in the business of building hype and selling tickets. Meanwhile, Peter DeBoer’s recent criticism of Tomas Vokoun has put the Head Coach himself under the microscope: Is he really the man for the job? Can you treat a seasoned professional the same way you would a developing junior?

I remain skeptical to that last question, whilst still positive about the first, but fact is that Vokoun needed a break and Anderson fully deserved the chance to show his metal – at this time of the season.

All teams need to rotate their goaltenders to some extent, and it was long overdue that Tomas got a break from the heavy duty which it is to be guarding the Panthers’ net. After all, no other team in the NHL let the opposing teams shoot as much – and as unhindered – as the Cats do. Although; yesterday the defenders and forwards did actually step up to relieve the goalie by making manifold game-saving blocks.

Craig Anderson finally got another chance between the pipes against the Flyers and did well when facing 42 shots.

Brett McLean and his fourth line combinations continued to produce the goods. If only we had four lines working as hard as this line does every night… No matter who’s playing here, they always seem to do a good shift. The same can’t be said about the inconsistent top two lines. Some nights they have it in bunches and other nights they virtually disappear from the action altogether.

I’ve been critical of Brett McLean at times, especially in the beginning of season and at the turn of the New Year. But, to his credit, he has kept battling through adversity and is now starting to come up big down the stretch. Yesterday he scored in his second consecutive game and got the match-winner in the third period. It seems Brett thrives in the gritty run-in hockey style of play and is feeling more at home in the current playoff climate.

Shame that that isn’t the case with many others on the roster….

Trio in focus. Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and Brett McLean come to Vokoun's rescue and clear the puck vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. This trio has been stellar of late, unfortunately that can't be said about the rest of the team.

Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton just love playing together, don’t they! Bench Boynton and Ballard suddenly looks like a ghost of his former self. Pair them together and magical – hard hitting and productive – aggressive hockey ensues. It’s easy to see why Keith enjoys the company of Nick too. Just take the incident in the first period in Philly, when Ballard made a spectacular and clean hip-check on the hot-blooded Scott Hartnell of the Flyers.

The incensed and cowardly Hartnell attacked Ballard, who was down on the ice, and started pounding him. Guess who lead the cavalry and came charging in to his blood brother’s rescue — well, it was Nick of course!

Boynton looked like he would move mountains in his effort to free Ballard from underneath Scott’s pusillanimous assault. Nick took four minutes of penalties as he macheted his way through the Flyers’ ranks, but that is more a sign of the horrendous refereeing in this match than a chip off Boynton’s shoulders, and he made sure Keith could get up from underneath the melee and continue the game unscathed.

Ballard and Boynton where, by a mile, the best and strongest Floridian defensive pairing on the night – as they often are. Keith continued his punishing hits on the Flyers forwards and both got assists on stinging point shots that they took – when joining the rush and attacking the opposing net. The fact that Boynton has not been playing much since his run-in with Peter DeBoer, is probably a big reason behind why the Cats have been so timid of late.

It is, unfortunately, however you twist it and turn it, a sign of very poor coaching.

Hopefully DeBoer has learned his lesson and will keep Boynton in for the remainder of games and won’t continue to make the same dire man-management decisions regarding Tomas Vokoun too. In fact, if DeBoer is so desperate to find scapegoats – maybe he should take a long hard look in the mirror – and realize – once and for all; that this is not the juniors and you can’t treat seasoned veterans like they are novices to the game.

Tomas Vokoun has been the Florida Panthers stand-out performer of late, making spectacular saves and facing an increasing barrage of shots from opposing teams. Without Vokoun, the Panthers wouldn’t still be in a playoff race – if indeed they still are in that chase, after yesterday’s devastating loss to Buffalo.

While forwards and defenders have broken under the pressure of chasing an elusive post-season in Florida, Tomas has been stellar between the pipes, earning the Cats points they didn’t always deserve. Yesterday Vokoun made one mistake, the first he’s made in such a long time I can’t even remember last time he made one, and immediately coach Peter DeBoer pinpointed the fault at Vokoun’s slightly widened five-hole, saying:

"We need a big save at a critical time in the third period to win a game. I don’t think we’ve gotten one lately," Pete said. "You can’t let (the loss) be devastating. The goalie’s got to close the door when you’re in that situation. You know what? He didn’t."

Tough words. But is it right to pick on the man that has been Florida’s only reliable asset in the playoff chase?

One mistake doesn’t make or break the Panthers’ post-season chances, and last I looked it was three goals that the Cats let in, in quick succession at Buffalo, not just the one. And Vokoun could do nothing on the other goals. They were of fluke character and stemmed from defensive mistakes, in fact, one of the goals that Tomas let in – originated from a poor clearance by Jay Bouwmeester and then Radek Dvorak was all-too easily pick-pocketed and bullied off the puck at the blue line.

Hence, it was not just one but several mistakes that led to the Sabres turning a 1-3 deficit to a 5-3 victory in the third period. Being the last outpost of his team, it easy to point the finger of blame at Vokoun, but it is not fair.

Tomas Vokoun takes a safety first approach and makes the save against the Hurricanes.

The Panthers simply seem to lack the mental might to close out games in the third (where have we heard that before…?). It has happened again and again down the stretch here and it seems the worst possible score for the Cats is the 3-1 lead going in to the third. Almost always it ends in despair. And yesterday was no different…

Actually, if Pete really feels it necessary to point fingers after last night’s game, he should take a long hard look at the role of Jay Bouwmeester. He was at the forefront on all those goals, making one mistake after another – gifting the Sabres the puck in favorable positions, or failing to keep the puck in the attacking third, or directly steering the puck into his own goal. This was probably the worst period in Jay’s professional career. An absolute disaster!

Indeed, whilst being on a critical note, don’t you think Jay Bouwmeester has been underperforming lately? Apart from the occasional good game, he’s been anything but solid in the back and doesn’t really look like he cares too much whether Florida makes the playoffs or not. He’s leaving anyway, right?

Jay Bouwmeester on the prowl against Carolina. Bo had his perhaps best game down the stretch against the Hurricanes, but it has been a far too unusual sight seeing him bomb down the ice like this of late. And against Buffalo he had horrid game.

Also, General Manager Jacques Martin must take his share of the blame. Not only did he keep a player that is looking ahead to pastures greener (or whiter, in fact, we assume), and rather than getting what we really needed for the run-in, i.e. a top class centerman (and yes, there were actually several available) or someone that can actually shoot the puck and score goals; instead he went out and got another defenseman. Please explain that logic to me!

Yes, we need to bolster the defense for next season if indeed Bo does go, but the emphasis was supposed to be winning now – wasn’t it? And yes, Eminger seems like a decent defender that brings greater depth to the back six, that now is a back seven, but it isn’t really what we craved or required, is it?

So, whilst the teams around us in the standings got noticeably better, with no exception really, we stayed the same. The result of that policy is easy to see. Since the trade deadline Florida have played 10 games and won 2. Five of those games were against fellow Eastern playoff hopefuls. The result? Panthers lost all five…

I understand the reasoning behind keeping Bouwmeester, but to not strengthen an already light forward compartment – is bordering criminal.

My point is not to claim the heads of those in the front line of this string of playoff chase failures: Jacques Martin, Jay Bouwmeester and yes; Peter DeBoer himself. I still believe – to make mistakes is only human and everyone will do them, including this otherwise excellent trio of hockey knowledgeable people, and we should do everything we can to keep them here for the long term. Rather, my point is that pointing the finger at your otherwise best player (by a mile!) Tomas Vokoun and putting the blame squarely on his shoulders is not only suspect, but also, clearly, wrong.

One mistake doesn’t make or break a team’s season. There are far too many games to be played for any such scapegoating comments. Pete would do better to keep those remarks to himself or talk to his netminder – face to face – rather than through the media. It is a cheap shot that is beneath him. I’ll scratch it down as inexperience, but Pete, watch your mouth!

Coming off a terrible homestand, losing four of five games, the Florida Panthers are taking to the road. Tonight they will suit up in Buffalo and tomorrow it’s in Philadelphia; before a quick swing west takes the Cats to Dallas on Saturday before returning home. A tough schedule by any standard or time of year. In midst of a hectic, battling, playoff race – it’s do or die time. Win a couple and return to South Florida with renewed hope — or start planning the summer vacation.

To be fair the Panthers are very lucky to still be in the playoff chase. After the post-trade deadline run of defeats and goalscoring woes; the Cats are fortunate to only be two points out of the alluring Stanley Cup playoffs. Montreal have gifted us a lifeline by being even worse; losing five games in row, but yesterday they finally got their act together and beat Atlanta 6-3 (while the NY Rangers won yet again).

The misfiring Habs stars – Kovalev, Koivu and Tanguay – were pieced together on the first line and the goals duly started trickling in behind the visiting goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Alex Tanguay got five points on the night and hope was reignited amongst the centennial celebrators.

It seems the funeral eulogies of hockey’s old boy were somewhat premature. With the Canadiens now seemingly back on track, the pressure to perform is mounting on the Cats.

Florida will need to win, probably, a couple of more games than Montreal down the stretch and seeing as both teams have a mere 9 games left to play – it will be easier said than done. In fact, at this point in time, you’d have to be a brave man indeed or a blinded optimist to predict the Panthers making the playoffs this year. Yes, hope is the last to desert the true fan, but it doesn’t look good by any standard right now.

True. The Panthers have played well in their last two games, versus Columbus and Carolina, and their efforts were more deserving of four points than the one received. But the hard truth is that nearly is not good enough, neither is a very good effort or a point of tepid solace from crunch games against fellow playoff hopefuls. There is no time for losers at this time of year, no matter how well they play when losing, this is professional sports and no consolation prizes will be handed out to the teams that don’t make the post-season.

The aim was clearly to make the playoffs this year and evidently nothing else is good enough. Or why is it we kept Bouwmeester when we could have strengthened the franchise for the future? It was to win now! And it’s time to start producing…

The Cats need to keep this in mind when entering the ice in Buffalo tonight. There are no excuses. Just win. And then win again. And again. That’s what will get the playoff circus to South Florida; not mere good efforts, which are commendable, but clearly not good enough in the end. It’s crunch time and we need results, not words of false hope.