Where we are now: Panthers offense-by-the-numbers after six

by Donny Rivette on Oct 20, 2009 7:40 PM EDT Comment 5 comments

This guy leads the Cats in one statistical category.

Skimming the "stats" section of the NHL's official website, and thought I'd share a couple of thoughts on how the Panthers are doing after six games...on paper. The term "It's Early" has been used in multiple occassions here at The Box in recent days, for a variety of valid reasons, but numbers are always fun to dissect, and besides: we have only a day left to fill before the next game.

Of course, the plus/minus haters and shootout assassins will forever hang behind the walls they erect, but the two are a part of the game - like it or not - and we're stuck with 'em. Onward.

We'll go stat-by-stat with the relevant stuff and see where the Cats stand, through yesterday's games). Keep in mind Florida has only played six games (it won't help your mood, but it's a fact).

GOALS: better sit down for this...not a single Panther within the top 30. Olli Jokinen isn't there either, so chew on that. NHL LEADER: Alexander Ovechkin, WAS, 9. FLA LEADER: Four tied with 2 (~~Booth,~~ Radek Dvorak, Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton, Michael Frolik).
ASSISTS: again, no one from Sunrise here as well, thugh it wasn't exactly expected that one of them would be. NHL LEADER: Joe Thornton, SJS, 12. FLA LEADER: Dmitry Kulikov (!), with 3.
POINTS: really looking for a desert oasis with this one. NHL LEADER: Ovechkin,16. FLA LEADER: Two tied with 4 (Frolik and Weiss).
PLUS/MINUS: this is where the Carolina Catastrophe rears its head. NHL LEADER: Nicklas Grossman, DAL, +10. FLA LEADER: Kamil Kreps, +3 (at the other end, Bryan Allen and Horton each share a -6, while the league cellar is inhabited by Brendan Witt and Brent Burns, swapping spit with a -9).
PIM: the Cats will never be mistaken - at least during the current regime - for having an overly aggressive demeanor, and that is reflected in their penalty minutes. NHL LEADER: Zenon Kenopka(?), TAM, 38. FLA LEADER: Allen, 13.
SOG: Nothing to be embarrassed about, generally. NHL LEADER: Ovechkin, 61 (second in the league? Gaborik, with 39 - and one more game played). FLA LEADER: Two tied at 21 (Rostislav Olesz and David Booth).
FACEOFF %: Curious to see what Dominic Moore ultimately contributes. NHL LEADER: Rich Peverly, ATL, (71.7...wow). FLA LEADER: Weiss (tied with Vinny What's-his-nuts from TBL) at 53.3%, good for 32nd in league standings.

Poll

In a word, what's your take on Florida's start?

Expected. Called this months ago.

28 votes

Surprised. A year of DeBoerification should make for a better beginning.

31 votes

59 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 5 comments |

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Comments

We are all hockey nuts, so I understand the interest of having our team get off to a hot start… But I keep hearing things “must win”, and seeing the dissection of numbers when there are SEVENTY SIX games to go. At this point, it’s my opinion that this is just an exercise in futility.

If we miss the playoffs again, there are going to be numerous games on which we’ll look back and reminisce about “what could’ve been”… But personally, I doubt any of them will come from the month of October.

by VanMurph on Oct 20, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

Been a long summer, Murph…

Litter Box Cats - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Oct 21, 2009 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions

And it being soooo early, there aren’t many upward or downward trends that can be locked onto yet (outside of Toronto, anyway).

Litter Box Cats - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Oct 21, 2009 7:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Yup. We’re not in the winless club (Toronto and NY Islanders) and that’s something. We still have four games to match last year’s Cup champs’ first ten: 5-4-1. Of course, we can’t lose any more too do so. But still…

by Johnny B on Oct 21, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m glad you don’t think we need to panic. But it is very stressful seeing them start slow, again. I will try to be patient, and that said, I can’t wait until the chemistry starts kicking in. I would hate to see that the defense overhaul has made us worse, not better.

by tfcane on Oct 21, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

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Southeast Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
Washington Japers' Rink	82	54	15	13	121
Atlanta Bird Watchers Anonymous	82	35	34	13	83
Carolina Canes Country	82	35	37	10	80
Tampa Bay Raw Charge	82	34	36	12	80
Florida Litter Box Cats	82	32	37	13	77

(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)

Panthers Schedule

Next 5 Games

@ Edmonton The Copper & Blue	Sun 10/10	8:00 PM EDT
@ Vancouver Nucks Misconduct	Mon 10/11	10:00 PM EDT
@ Calgary Matchsticks and Gasoline	Thu 10/14	9:00 PM EDT
Tampa Bay Raw Charge	Sat 10/16	7:00 PM EDT
Dallas Defending Big D	Thu 10/21	7:30 PM EDT

Last 5 Games

Tampa Bay Raw Charge	Sun 04/11	L 1 - 3
@ Tampa Bay Raw Charge	Sat 04/10	SO - L 3 - 4
New Jersey In Lou We Trust	Thu 04/08	W 3 - 2
Ottawa Silver Seven	Tue 04/06	L 2 - 5
New York Rangers Blueshirt Banter	Sat 04/03	L 1 - 4

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