Reports of quality-control problems with the ice surface at RBC were evidently true.

 

 

 

 

 

Cats @ Canes, 7p - RBC Center, FSN-FL (HD!)

 

Panthers: 26-19-8  60P, 2nd in SE    Hurricanes: 27-22-5 59P, 3rd in SE

LAST 10:    FLA: 6-3-1      TOR: 6-4-0

HOME & AWAY:  FLA (A): 12-13-3     CAR (H): 14-10-1

GAME 5 of 6    SEASON SERIES: 2-1-1  (FLA)

ALL-TIME: 40-28-11 (HAR/CAR)

PROMOTIONS: Teeechur Apresheashun Nite

 

 

Here's the big one.

53 games in. The Panthers hold a one-point hold on eighth-place. Dominating victories. Come-from-behind heroics. Goals-of-the-week. Strengthened confidence and a newborn sense of unity and team. A Jack Adams-candidate coach.

Welcome to Raleigh, fellas. I won't bring up the past. Won't do it. We all know the record. The disappointments. The questionable calls. Blown leads. Crushing losses. We have our opinions on Eric Staal. I shall not post "diver down" flags, nor will I make half-assed corny references to Hartford. Ancient history.

 

"It's definitely crunch time for us, and all you have to do to remind yourself is to take a look at those standings and see how tight of a race it is,"

 

- Canes' goaltender Cam Ward

 

The Florida Panthers have improved tremendously and conquered many demons in so remarkably short a period. We as fans can let go of the animosity, believe in the new-version Cats, and cheer on what may be a brave new world of success for our club.

Carolina is - to me - the Panthers' most legitimate rival. There is a (real or perceived) sense of anger and competitiveness; almost a snarling respect for one another, even after several years of what some considered to be the Hurricanes playing a less-than-honorable style of hockey. That coach is no longer there. So let's collectively wipe the past from our minds. This is a new Panthers squad.

 

''(This) will be like a playoff game,''

 

- Cats' coach Pete DeBoer

 

Actually, coach...EVERY game has been a playoff game this season. There have been no easy nights. The Cats will not simply cruise into the postseason without treating each and every contest, no matter the opponent, as a one-game playoff.

Florida is currently 2-1-1 against the Canes this year. That stat actually pleasantly surprised me. Let's make it three, guys. Keep it rollin'.

 

 BATTERED & BRUISED

---

---

Brindy returns tonight, continuing his quest for the Selke. 

 

---

---

Same old here, though Belak's still a bit under the weather.

 

 LITTER BOX LINERS

 

• Miami Herald: Thursday match like a playoff game, Blog
• Sun-Sentinel: Crucial stretch starts tonight, Skolnik: time for Horton to shoot
• Raleigh News & Observer: Close friends on opposing benches, Canes build momentum
• AP via NHL.com: game preview
• AccuScore via The Sporting News
• Mirtle's Playoff Push
• Panthers website
• Hurricanes website

FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE

• Cat Scratch (FLA)
• Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
• Canes Country (CAR) an SBNation Blog
• Red & Black Hockey (CAR)
• John Forslund's Blog (CAR)

THE WARMUP

Noah Welch ('member him?) goads rookie Brandon Sutter into a scrap, December 18, 2008. Nice effort, Noah.