Panthers at Tampa Bay: Crunch Time?
by David Dwork on Oct 12, 2009 12:22 PM EDT
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Yes, its only four games into the season, but I'm already starting to squirm. It's not as much the lack of consistent/good play as it is the disheartening nature of how things have gone down since the season opener. A shutout, a real butt-kicking, and then the familiar high hope-let down in front of a packed house in Sunrise hasn't given me much to be excited about. As usual, the talent is there...but where is the production. I know it's very early in the season, and don't get me wrong I'm not freaking out yet, but when is it time to say ‘OK, where is the spark? Where is the finished product of the talent we all know is there?"
Well...there have been plenty of times in the past where playing against the Lightning is good for what ails ya, so we have to hope that tonight is more of the same. For what its worth, Tampa is unbeaten at home (in regulation) at 1-0-1. They came within one second of beating the Devils last week, and have had some success on the power play (19% success rate). Their penalty killing, however, is the 2nd worse in the conference.
The only lineup change for the Cats tonight should be on defense, with Jason Garrison getting sent back to Rochester and Bryan Allen returning to the lineup. It turns out that Allen was held out of Saturday's lineup just to give his surgically repaired knee a rest, which will be a regular thing by Coach DeBoer. Pete said that calling up Garrison would be a ‘regular' thing as they don't want to overwork Allen.
I wish I had more for you guys, but I've been banging this pregame out while working this morning. Unfortunately, there will be no local broadcast for tonight's game. I'm not sure if those of you enjoying the free preview of the NHL Center Ice (or whatever it's called) will be able to pick the game up, but that'd sure be nice. Otherwise, you can hear the game locally on WAXY 790 on the AM dial (I think its 760 up in West Palm).
For even more Panthers-Lightning, head over to Raw Charge the SB Nation page under a severe thunderstorm warning (bad Lightning joke). Go Cats Go!!
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One note for tonight from the Bolts end
I’m working on the preview right now for Raw Charge, but I think it’s worth noting for Panther fans that the supposed Southeast killer Antero Niittymaki will be between the pipes for the Lightning tonight. Niitty’s something like OMG-WTF-LOL versus southeast teams, with a clear streak of dominance. Of course, that was while playing with the Philadelphia Flyers in the past.
To strive, to seek, to find, and to forever keep it Raw. Raw Charge.
Thanks for the heads up!!!
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community Juggernaut
Panic Button
While I’m not ready to press the panic button yet, I am concerned that if things don’t get turned around quickly, things will go from bad to worse.
Simply speaking, I have 4 simple things the Cats need to do tonight which I’ve posted on my blog.
My concern is that we’ve been asking the same stuff for awhile.
You may not be pushing the button…but you are glancing at it. :o)
I feel you though, only 4 games in and we’ve all seen this before, so obviously we’re ready to go crazy. Hopefully its just a case of a good team struggling early…
Peninsula Is Mightier:Your SB Nation Miami Heat Blog Community Juggernaut
David Booth is killing my fantasy team. I’ve managed to watch parts of 2 Panther’s games (I love my Center Ice and I just got HD, which makes it infinitely better) and I have to say that the Cats have just looked bad.
I can’t say I’m surprised, but I at least thought they’d have brought a little more offensive spark.
What’s going to be worse tonight, is if Tanguay singlehandedly gets it going.
Managing Editor - HockeyOutsiders.com
by HockeyOutsiders on Oct 12, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions
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