Game Day: Toronto Maple Leafs at Florida Panthers

 Nice leaf.

 

 

Leafs @ Cats, 7:30p - BankAtlantic Center, FSN-FL

 

Panthers: 25-19-8  58P, 3rd in SE    Maple Leafs: 20-24-9 49P, 4th in NE

LAST 10:    FLA: 5-3-2      TOR: 4-3-3

HOME & AWAY:   TOR (A): 11-14-3    FLA (H): 13-6-5

GAME 3 of 4    SEASON SERIES: 2-0  (FLA)

ALL-TIME: 25-14-7 (TOR)

 The Cats open what is arguably their most important - and difficult - stretch of the season with a home match against the Leafs.

Toronto GM Brian Burke is rumored to be shopping Nik Antropov. Burkie will make his mark quickly and aggressively; he'll be tremendous fun on deadline day as well as at the draft. I'm predicting a rather quiet free-agent season, however. He's as sharp a knife in the drawer as any, and he'll build a consistent contender out of the Leafs. Eventually.

Anyway, they're in Sunrise tonight, and barring a dramatic entrance from Chad Kilger, it should be all business for the Panthers following the drubbing in DC on Saturday.

BATTERED & BRUISED

 Mike Van Ryn is out. No reunion on the ice just yet, but he did travel with the team. If you see him at the BAC, say hi and thank him for his efforts as a terrific part of our community. Solid dood.

Aw, shucks...Belak's still battling that nagging shoulder injury. Hope the Preds can get by without him.

Posted without comment, since his awesomeness requires none.

LITTER BOX LINERS

• Miami Herald: D-Vo sits out practice, Blog: Ad genius
• Sun-Sentinel: Skras doing dirty work
• Globe & Mail: Antropov on way out
• Toronto Star: Dom Moore profile
• Toronto Sun: Injuries on defense, Nik's days numbered
• AP via NHL.com: game preview
• AccuScore via The Sporting News
• Panthers website
• Maple Leafs website

FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE

• Cat Scratch (FLA)
• Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
• Pension Plan Puppets (TOR) an SBNation blog
• Battle of Ontario (TOR)
• Bitter Leaf Fan (TOR)
• Diehard Blue & White (TOR)