Florida Panthers at Colorado Avalanche - Game 45 Preview

by John Beatty on Jan 18, 2012 4:00 PM EST in Florida Panthers Game Previews: '11-12

Florida: 21-14-9 (51PTS)
Colorado: 24-21-2 (50PTS)
Game Time: 9:30 PM EST
Television: Fox Sports Florida, Altitude
Radio: 560 WQAM

The Panthers visit Colorado tonight. The Avs have been uneven, but are only one point out of a playoff spot and one behind the Panthers. The Panthers had a hot start, but their record in their last ten games (3-4-3) is almost the worst in the league. Things are looking up as several Cats, including goaltender Jose Theodore, are set to return from injuries this week, forcing head coach Kevin Dineen to start sitting underperforming players in the press box. This competition for spots in the lineup was a big part of the Panthers' early season success and there is much hope that this will result in some more wins. In the meantime, the Cats have held on to their slim lead in the Southeast Division. The Islanders shut out the Capitals last night and the Devils beat the Jets, preserving the Panthers' lead for another day, though the Caps play in Montreal tonight.

More from our Colorado cohorts at Mile High Hockey.
Panthers vs Avalanche coverage at SB Nation.
SB Nation Preview.
LBC Game Thread will open 30 minutes prior to puck drop.

News and Notes

Last meeting

Stephen Weiss had the overtime winner and Tomas Vokoun made 22 saves as the Panthers topped the Avalanche 4-3 in Sunrise in December 2010.

Last game

The Panthers came back from a one goal deficit twice to force overtime against the Bruins on Monday. Weiss scored the first goal in the shootout, but it was followed by goals from Bruins Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. The final score was 3-2 for the B's. Shawn Matthias scored this beauty on his way out of the penalty box:

Lineup

Goaltender Jose Theodore makes his return to the lineup tonight, so Brian Foster was returned to San Antonio. Ed Jovanovski injured his hand in Monday's game against the Bruins; the club reported today that he may be out up to two months following surgery to be performed tomorrow. Keaton Ellerby will take his place on the blueline. Scottie Upshall, Jack Skille and Sean Bergenheim are on the road trip, with all expected to play at some point. Marco Sturm is in Florida skating on his own. This will be Weiss' 600th NHL game.

Injuries

F Scottie Upshall (hip), 11/10, 6 to 8 weeks
F Jack Skille (shoulder), 12/16, at least a week
F Sean Bergenheim (groin), unknown
F Marco Sturm (concussion), unknown
G Jacob Markstrom (knee), 1/7, 4 to 6 weeks
D Ed Jovanovski (hand), 1/16, 2 months

Possible Healthy Scratches

F Mike Santorelli
F Krys Barch
F Michal Repik
F Kris Versteeg (Twitter is currently all over the map on this. Via the club: "#FlaPanthers coach Kevin Dineen says if Versteeg doesn't play it's because of health not performance” Stay tuned.

Starting goaltenders:

Jose Theodore will get his first start since December 31; will face Colorado's J.S. Giguere.

Projected Lines

Forwards

Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
Samuelsson-Goc-Kopecky
Matthias-Madden-Repik
Barch-Santorelli-Bradley

Defense

Campbell-Garrison
Kulikov-Ellerby
Gudbranson-Weaver

Tweet Comment 45 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I love watching Rask’s reaction on giving that one up. It never gets old.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 18, 2012 4:04 PM EST reply actions

Won’t soon forget that :)

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 18, 2012 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Panthers official twitter retweeted — whoever it was about the new top line. Do we think that’s the case whether or not Versteeg is in?

by angellen on Jan 18, 2012 4:21 PM EST reply actions

Samuelsson? I think I’m rather confused…

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 18, 2012 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

lets win this one in regulation time, Avs 7-0 in the shootout this season.

by Todd Little on Jan 18, 2012 4:57 PM EST reply actions

Alright guys, look for me in the lower rows (6) on the corner on the Panthers attack twice side. I’ll have my old navy blue home Dvorak jersey and a rat pinned to my shoulder.

And someone take a screenshot if they zoom in on my rat after this inevitable victory!

I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 15G/19A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots

by Chris S Roberts on Jan 18, 2012 5:50 PM EST reply actions

You should do that obnoxious stand and wave at the camera whenever the puck is in your zone.

Also, have fun. :)

Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215

by Sdiaz6215 on Jan 18, 2012 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

Tear it up, CR!

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 18, 2012 6:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Have fun! Can’t wait to tweet a pic of your rat on the ice after a win.

The artist formerly known as L'Mysterioso

by Spencer-IV on Jan 18, 2012 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

Just tweeted Goldie.. He always seems to get back to me so hoping it catches his attention and he shows you some love tonight. lol

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

Looks like you did it. :)

The artist formerly known as L'Mysterioso

by Spencer-IV on Jan 18, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

@goldieonice
@RobMc82 @rhyminchrisr nice. Will have the camaras look for you/him.

I of course clarified I wouldnt be there and that Chris is a “great writer for LBC” lol

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

And a shameless plug; even better.

The artist formerly known as L'Mysterioso

by Spencer-IV on Jan 18, 2012 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

Best kind :) Thx Rob.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 18, 2012 7:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I try lol Now if I had an LBC hat I would have given it to Versteeg at practice when I was talking to him =P

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

Guilt. Trip. In effect.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 18, 2012 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

@hfialkov
Panthers healthy scratching Skille and Upshall #flapanthers

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:24 PM EST reply actions

Skille is healthy too now? Sounds like they may be giving Repik a bit of a curtain call/attaboy tonight before he’s sent down to SA.

The artist formerly known as L'Mysterioso

by Spencer-IV on Jan 18, 2012 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

OT

@JoshRimerHockey
Hearing Taylor Hall out for the year

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:32 PM EST reply actions

@TSNRyanRishaug
Rumours of Taylor Hall being done for the year are untrue. At this point that hasn’t been decided.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions

@JoshRimerHockey
Hurricanes acquire Evgenii Dadonov and A.J. Jenks from the Florida Panthers in exchange for forwards Jon Matsumoto and Mattias Lindstrom.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:35 PM EST reply actions

Oh Dads….

Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215

by Sdiaz6215 on Jan 18, 2012 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

Lindström is a huge and strong two-way player who plays a physical game and controls space both in front of the opposing net and in his defensive zone. He is not a fleet skater but uses his size and strength well. He has understated stickhandling and passing skills. Lindström is at his best along the boards and in the corners. His hockey sense and puck skills are improving. He takes care of his defensive responsibilities and can chip in offensively at times.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

Matsumoto is a brilliant playmaking center who brings an infectious enthusiasm to his game. He possesses superb passing skills and knows how to find his linemates. He controls and protects the puck well. Matsumoto is a strong skater who moves well through traffic. He has excellent hockey sense and his play around the net is very good. Despite his less than ideal size, he will drive to the net hard and often. He has a quick, accurate shot. Matsumoto’s foot speed is a concern as he doesn’t quite have that burst of speed of some of the better smaller forwards at the NHL level. A consistent scorer at the AHL level, Matsumoto does not always bring that same determination to his own end of the ice – something that kept him from getting an NHL opportunity with the Flyers.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

woa..

by eliran2 on Jan 18, 2012 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

hmmm. Not thrilled about losing Dadonov and potentially having him burn us six times a year…. i hope the upside is worth it.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 18, 2012 7:40 PM EST up reply actions

Scoring for our AHL club and center depth.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:41 PM EST up reply actions

He’ll play on a line with Anthony Stewart

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 18, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions

Anthony “Top Dollar” Stewart as he likes to be called.

The artist formerly known as L'Mysterioso

by Spencer-IV on Jan 18, 2012 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

Gotta wonder why Matsumoto hasn’t seen any time on the big club this season.

Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215

by Sdiaz6215 on Jan 18, 2012 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

Matsumoto will get a fresh start with Carolina but with several bigger and stronger forward prospects in training camp he must prove that he is willing to play both ends of the ice if he is to stick with the Hurricanes. He enters his fourth full season of pro hockey so the clock is ticking on his NHL aspirations. Matsumoto has NHL-calibre offensive skills while being an established scorer at the AHL level. Whether he gets the opportunity to prove he can be more than that, and capitalizes on that opportunity, remains to be seen.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 18, 2012 7:46 PM EST up reply actions