Friday Caterwaul: Panthers Open Forum

by Donny Rivette on Mar 12, 2010 10:08 AM EST Comment 11 comments

A tale of two completely divergent Florida Panthers teams after going 1-and-1 on their current three game trip. A scrappy, defiant Cats club chipped away for a grind-it-out victory over the Wild in St. Paul on Tuesday, only to snooze through Thursday's match in Denver with all the enthusiasm of an exhibition game. And make no mistake, the Avalanche were not the dominant bunch the shutout score may lead one to believe.

Saturday's afternoon romp in San Jose realistically promises little beyond a high-scoring affair for the Sharks, depending upon how much assistance goaltender Tomas Vokoun may - or may not - receive.

Detecting a bit of pessimism? Perhaps, but basing that attitude on last night's result from the HP Pavilion (and the week's finest headline), I don't believe it's too far off base.

What to do, what to do...

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I don’t like being a nay sayer, but it’s hard to imagine the Cats’ season being anything but over. We all knew they’d need to be near perfect down the stretch, getting every point they can. They didn’t look the part last night, and the schedule is awfully tough down the stretch, with matches against SJ, Buffalo, and Washington. Anything is possible, especially having a few games in hand on Montreal, but it’s not looking promising.

by 34Beezer on Mar 12, 2010 11:01 AM EST reply actions

Our friends at Sports Club Stats are backing you up on that as well.

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Mar 12, 2010 11:11 AM EST up reply actions

BTW: we have them linked on the main page left-hand sidebar under “Panthers Playoff Chances”, for future reference

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Mar 12, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

Saw This Coming

While making the playoffs was a stretch, a game like this was a game that needed to be won. They unfortunately couldn’t pull it off.

The difference between good teams and teams like us?

If you’re a good team, you find a way to win, even if the other team outplays you.

An obvious eye opener that reveals our lack of talent.
Saturday won’t be much better and could actually be the nail in the coffin.

by The Rat Trick on Mar 12, 2010 12:08 PM EST reply actions

Not saying consistent health from Horton and Booth would have changed the team’s fortunes, but who knows. Their absences didn’t help matters.

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Mar 12, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. But you know what’s puzzling is that other teams have injuries to key players, yet seem to be able to overcome that.
Example is people are worried about facing Detroit once they get all their players healthy. We all know we can’t compare to the Wings, but the point is, that besides needing star power, we need better depth players who can make a difference when they are called on.

All I can say is, Thanks Jacques Martin! You left a sinking ship that you designed.
Titanic? Sexton was not that far off base was he?

by The Rat Trick on Mar 12, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

Re: the Wings…

Does any group in the league collectively contain the playoff experience enjoyed by Detroit? It’s an understandable concern, healthy or not.

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Mar 12, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

Has anyone taken notice to the Panthers problems with executing line changes lately? Apparently Tommy Vokoun has, judging by his reaction after the Avalanche’s 3rd goal last night.

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by David Dwork on Mar 12, 2010 7:35 PM EST reply actions

Yep; seemed to have struggled with it throughout Thursday’s game. I’m sure it won’t be an issue against San Jose.

Muahahahahahaha

The Litter Box - Your Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Mar 13, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

Like RT said, the difference with other teams managing to win through injuries is depth. Once you have Horton and Booth out, who fills in? Frolik? Stillman? Reinprecht? Not exactly…

When healthy, the Weiss\Horts\Booth line is a good #1 line, meaning the depth guys can be just that. But when you need them to perform like 1st liners… well we all know where we stand today.

by Karl Selvig on Mar 13, 2010 3:24 PM EST reply actions

Exactly the reason why we have had a playoff drought for so long.
Building on the wrong guys. Hard to attract a top quality player, so we may actually have to trade for one.

by The Rat Trick on Mar 13, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

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