Wednesday Caterwaul: Panthers Open Forum

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 10:20 AM EST in LBC Caterwauls: '11-12

Rookie blueliner Erik Gudbranson paced all players with 5 hits Tuesday. A career-high 20:08 TOI (in 25 shifts) against the Flyers smashed his average of 14:37 in the month of January, a by-product of long-term injuries recently sustained by Ed Jovanovski and Dmitry Kulikov.

Final - 1.24.2012	1	2	3	OT	SO	Total
Philadelphia Flyers	2	0	0	0	1	3
Florida Panthers	1	1	0	0	0	2

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The Eastern Front

Rank	Team	GP	W	L	OT	PTS	GF	GA	Home	Away	L/10	Streak
1	NY Rangers	47	31	12	4	66	132	96	15-5-2	16-7-2	7-3-0	Won 2
2	Boston	47	31	14	2	64	171	102	16-7-2	15-7-0	5-4-1	Lost 1
3	Washington	48	26	19	3	55	136	137	18-6-1	8-13-2	5-4-1	Won 1
4	Philadelphia	48	29	14	5	63	162	142	11-7-3	18-7-2	6-3-1	Won 1
5	Pittsburgh	49	28	17	4	60	152	127	14-7-2	14-10-2	7-3-0	Won 7
6	Ottawa	52	27	19	6	60	157	160	14-9-1	13-10-5	6-4-0	Lost 3
7	Florida	48	22	15	11	55	122	136	11-5-7	11-10-4	3-3-4	OT 1
8	New Jersey	48	26	19	3	55	129	136	12-9-2	14-10-1	5-4-1	OT 1

9	Toronto	49	25	19	5	55	151	147	14-8-4	11-11-1	6-4-0	Won 2
10	Winnipeg	50	22	22	6	50	124	143	15-8-2	7-14-4	3-6-1	Lost 2
11	Tampa Bay	48	21	23	4	46	136	165	13-7-1	8-16-3	4-5-1	Won 4
12	Montreal	48	18	21	9	45	123	132	8-9-7	10-12-2	4-4-2	Won 1
13	NY Islanders	48	19	22	7	45	115	143	11-11-4	8-11-3	5-4-1	OT 1
14	Buffalo	49	20	24	5	45	119	149	11-9-5	9-15-0	2-7-1	Won 1
15	Carolina	51	18	24	9	45	130	159	13-11-3	5-13-6	5-3-2	Won 1

Why last night rocked:

NYR over WPG, 3-0; Callahan's goal/assist duo enough to halt Jets as Henrik stops 22
BUF over NJ, 2-1 (SO); Brodeur continues polishing legacy with 13 saves
PHX over OTW, 3-2 (REG); Turris: no points, 1 SOG in return to Glendale

Why last night jonesed:

WSH over BOS, 5-3; In absence of Ovi and Backstrom, someone named Mathieu Perrault nailed hat trick for Caps
PIT over STL, 3-2 (SO); Pens win seventh straight as Blues' Elliott stops 37
TOR over NYI, 4-3 (OT); MacArthur scores twice in comeback victory

Why tonight is a (very semi-) Big Deal in SoFla:

DET at MTL, 7:30 p.m.; Wings have outscored Habs 35-19 since 1995-96, going 7-3 in ten games from Montreal

Panthers Playoff Update:

FLA lost to PHI 2-3 (SO); playoff odds down 0.6 to 74.6% per Sports Club Stats

Next up for the Cats:

Hosting Washington on Wednesday, February 1st, 7:30 p.m.

Next LBC Live Thread:

Tomorrow night for the NHL ALL-Star Fantasy Draft (NBC-SN); we'll be live at 7:30

Did you know:

Heading into last season's All-Star Break the Panthers were 22-22-5 (49P); closed out the year out with an 8-18-7 (23P) record, prompted in large part by a monumental dumping of contracts at the trade deadline.

Tuesday’s Organizational Transactions:

None

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Comments

The Panthers as a franchise have an average point total of 77 to end the year. Their best point total was 1999-2000 with 98 points, their worst was 60 in 2001-02. The 2011-12 Panthers already surpassed the 46 points of the lockout shortened 1994-95 Panthers in just as many games. They also will surpass the worst Panthers team with 6 more points. The Panthers since the 04-05 lockout have averaged 83 points to finish the season. The average total points for an 8th seed since the lockout is 92 points. 18 games against teams not holding a playoff spot right now, 16 against those that do.

Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles

by National Mario on Jan 25, 2012 10:24 AM EST reply actions

Lightning dismiss ThunderBug after Silly String incident with Boston Bruins fan via PD.

Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215

by Sdiaz6215 on Jan 25, 2012 10:49 AM EST reply actions

Seriously? Did the Bruin’s fan sue? I’m going to have to review the video again.

by OldDave on Jan 25, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Wow, over some silly string??

I hereby predict Captain Mike Weaver #43 will score 6G 20A -RCR 0G10A 1/17
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best...

by RPC on Jan 25, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

so organization buys silly string, gives it to the bug, tells him to spray a bruins fan.. bruins fan cries like a kid and assaults the bug, doesn’t get ejected or arrested… bug loses job? sounds pretty f’d

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 1:19 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

that is stupid. i was sitting in 124 last night and stanley came 2 rows behind us and silly stringer the heck out of the flyers fans behind us. its all in good fun.

Dara

by gravenger5 on Jan 25, 2012 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

"her"

The lightning bug was played by a woman. Yep, that’s right, the Bruins fan assaulted a girl.

I wonder what the score was when the incident occurred. Boston lost that game 5-3.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 25, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

what nonsense. Hey, no love lost for the Lightning, but the Boston fan was clearly in the wrong there. He got silly stringed. That doesn’t deserve hitting from behind. I’d have ejected him from the game.

by jimmyh71 on Jan 25, 2012 11:22 AM EST up reply actions

They apparently just had a talk with him and he returned to his seat. He should have been thrown out for assaulting a mascot.

Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215

by Sdiaz6215 on Jan 25, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

You mean I could’ve gotten him fired like a decade ago when that happened to me at a Panthers/Lightning game?

Seriously, this is stupid – you pay him to do that, he’s done it for years and one whiny Bruins fan gets him fired. Stick up for your people Lightning.

Seeing Red since 1994.

by coasterg on Jan 25, 2012 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

Richard Zednik is a cat

and he has now given up two of his lives

by studyaid on Jan 25, 2012 10:57 AM EST reply actions

Guds looked real good I think he deseverve more ice time he’s looking better and better every game, and hope flash Steegs and Weiss are clicking again

by adam1991 on Jan 25, 2012 11:36 AM EST via mobile reply actions

January

Panthers were 2-3-4 in January accumulating a mere 8 of 18 possible points (44%)
Hopefully this turns out to be the worst month of the season.

by Todd Little on Jan 25, 2012 12:00 PM EST reply actions

If the shortest month (Hockey games wise) turns out to be the worst month I can live with that. Those shoot loss’s though :/

A lil thunder and a lil lightning is what the Cats are going to bring this year.

by trinidaddy on Jan 25, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

for a bigger sample size the team went 9-8-7 in Dec. and Jan.
that’s treading water for 2 months now. They really need to come out with some fire after the break and pick up some wins.

by Todd Little on Jan 25, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe even achieve one of those elusive “winning streaks”,

Steve Diaz
Twitter - @sdiaz6215

by Sdiaz6215 on Jan 25, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

A what?

by adam1991 on Jan 25, 2012 12:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Tiger shark

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

I think the correct term for that is “Sasquatch”

Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles

by National Mario on Jan 25, 2012 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I’ve heard of those, they are very rare around here. Like hunting snipe.

Seeing Red since 1994.

by coasterg on Jan 25, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

I think it all stems from us not reviewing the 10 games at a clip. :-)

I hereby predict Captain Mike Weaver #43 will score 6G 20A -RCR 0G10A 1/17
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best...

by RPC on Jan 25, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

if they miss the playoffs a lot it is going to be due to the ot/so record.

by Todd Little on Jan 25, 2012 12:04 PM EST reply actions

John Madden

I thought last night was his best game in a Panthers uniform. His skated quite well and was a beast on the PK’s

A lil thunder and a lil lightning is what the Cats are going to bring this year.

by trinidaddy on Jan 25, 2012 12:07 PM EST reply actions

Anybody

check this article out yet:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/florida-law-turn-ballparks-homeless-shelters-151458504.html
Florida sports arenas may have to used as a homeless shelter if any taxpayer money was used in it’s building.

A lil thunder and a lil lightning is what the Cats are going to bring this year.

by trinidaddy on Jan 25, 2012 12:11 PM EST reply actions

That would be awesome, but I doubt it actually goes through.

by angellen on Jan 25, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions

except when the facility is otherwise contractually obligated for a specific event or activity."

Aug – April (at the earliest) the arena could be “obligated” to allow the Panthers or visiting teams practice time there daily. Whether the Cats or opposing teams use that time is up to them of course.. Which would only leave 4 months during the summer (Assuming the Cats don’t make the post season) in which case I’m sure many summer concerts are scheduled.. and those performers need time to setup of course.. who’s to say that won’t take at least a week at a time.. ya know, wink wink nudge nudge and all of that..

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

It’s a logistical nightmare.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:39 PM EST up reply actions

A week or so back I mentioned that if one breaks the remaining season down into 5 games increments, a realistic goal for those would be 5 WINS…. First increment was 1 win, 4 points. So 2 wins short of what I was going for.

However… in the remaining 7 increments, if they even escape each with 6 points per 5 games they would end up with 96 points, which would be pretty close to where they need to be. Last night was the start of the next set, so 1 point… Ideally I still was to see 3 WINS and if the other 2 losses feature a point, even better.

But again my point is that we are sitting pretty good, realistically only 9 teams in the playoff chase, with NYR and BOS pretty much locks. A good jump to the next month will do wonders… and games to make up on OTT helps too!

by saskpantherfan on Jan 25, 2012 12:20 PM EST reply actions

@KatieStrangESPN
#NYR Rookie Carl Hagelin added to All-Star Skills Competition. Hagelin & MTL’s Raphael Diaz to replace NJD’s Adam Larsson and Adam Henrique

NJ is now without a rep. Doesn’t seem to upset anyone..

Yet when spots were selected one of the reasoning for some people being snubbed was because every team would have a rep of some form..

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 1:42 PM EST reply actions

Sure, but before injury

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 25, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

well then Neal should have been snubbed again while they put Elias in Ovie’s place.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

NJ is now without a rep. Doesn’t seem to upset anyone..

Maybe, but people are sure bitching that the Jets don’t have a rep now, b/c Byfuglien was replaced with Kris Letang.

"Shut up, Pierre!" -Everyone

Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.

by John Beatty on Jan 25, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

The Thrashers don’t have an All-Star in their lineup anyway.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

The who?

by Todd Little on Jan 25, 2012 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

Oh Snap!

A lil thunder and a lil lightning is what the Cats are going to bring this year.

by trinidaddy on Jan 25, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

Because Kane’s out.

by Alexander Calloway on Jan 25, 2012 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

They have to have a representative for each team when the All-Stars are named, but not after that.

by angellen on Jan 25, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Jon Matsumoto will start in the AHL all-star game

by Alexander Calloway on Jan 25, 2012 3:50 PM EST reply actions

*not participating in event; will be replaced in starting lineup

Does that mean he won’t be going since he has a * next to his name?

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Question of the Day:

Will we finish with more regulation losses or overtime losses? Sure it seems crazy, but at this point we have only 4 more regulation losses than OTLs.

IN DALE WE TRUST

by CubanCatsFan on Jan 25, 2012 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Sort of related, via Harvey

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

A bit unlikely, but if you have to lose you might as well take a point with you.

Won’t work out too well in the postseason…

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:32 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Even though you still get a point a loss is a loss.. and I’ve never seen a team make the playoffs with a 41-41 record, even if they got 20 pts from the losses.

well wait.. thatd be 82.. plus 20.. 102.

Keep it up Cats!

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve never seen a team make the playoffs with a 41-41 record

You obviously missed a lot of Adams Division hockey ;) But yes, it wouldn’t happen today.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

The 41-regulation loss part, I mean

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions

eh, I usually clump the OT losses and reg losses together, gives you a better idea of how your teams fairing in games. losses suck

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

Spiegel on Versteeg and Panthers’ injury issues

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:05 PM EST reply actions

As expected, Strachan was returned to San Antonio

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:06 PM EST reply actions

coming back up after the break you think or do we get to see another D?

by eliran2 on Jan 25, 2012 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

I wanna see Robak up after the confidence boost of being an AHL all star

by adam1991 on Jan 25, 2012 6:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He comes back. Need NHL experience down the stretch and he’s the only one to supply it.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

A look at individual PP time, leaguewide, between this season and 2010-11 via TSN

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:08 PM EST reply actions

New pre-break story from OFP

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 5:40 PM EST reply actions

@CoreyHirsch
RT “Website set up in Rick Rypien’s memory to aid people with mental disease. Pass it on. May save a life. ”http://mindcheck.ca" target="new">mindcheck.ca"

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 6:45 PM EST reply actions

stinkin link :|

Fix it Donny! lol

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

Believe this is what you were looking for.

Very nice.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jan 25, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions

Kingston fans take note: Former #Frontenacs D Erik Gudbranson of the #Panthers will be signing autographs prior to Friday night’s game. #OHL
Retweeted by Wayne Gudbranson

Erik doing work while on a break, good guy he is

by Rob PKane McMahon on Jan 25, 2012 6:48 PM EST reply actions