With their latest win, the Cats continue setting the conference pace for Pittsburgh, Carolina, and  (based on games-in-hand) Buffalo.

 At least THAT monkey is off of their collective back. The Panthers evened out the series with New York at two wins apiece, closing - mercifully - another chapter on the year. Bouwmeester, Skrastins, and Zeds (MAMMOTH goal - see below) scored for host Florida, while flu-symptom-recovering-titan Tomas Vokoun closed the door on 20 shots for the win. The Islanders' four-game winning streak was broken in the process. Good writin' eh?

 Thanks to Robert S. for submitting this example of Zednik awesomeness.

 

"That was a great move by him. Not too many players can do that in this league. He did, and he executed pretty well."

 

- Isles goaltender Joey MacDonald, on King Richard's stunning goal

 It's multimedia day at The Box! DolPhanDave spends a way-excellent minute with Florida's Cory Stillman following Thursday's victory.

LITTER BOX LINERS

• Miami Herald: Zed's goal lifts Panthers, Cats showing more confidence, Blog: Zednik heating up
• Sun-Sentinel: Zednik play jumps out, Newcomers help put losing ways behind
• Palm Beach Post: Powerful back line sparks Panthers
• New York Post: AP story...don't bother
• Newsday: Win streak snapped
• New York Times: I thought The Times shaped what the AP reported. And yet, another AP retread. Get it together, Pinch...and let's see your SAT scores while we're at it...
• AP via NHL.com: game recap/stats/video
• Panthers website
• Islanders website

Jay says "Thanks! It was a kewl goal!"

FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE

• Cat Scratch (FLA)
• Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
• Lighthouse Hockey (NYI) an SBNation blog
• Islanders Point Blank (NYI)
• The Drive for Five (NYI)
• Islanders Army (NYI)
• On the Islanders Beat (NYI)

COMING UP

Today's Divisionally Speaking, and preparing for the lowly Capitals.