Wednesday Offseason Caterwaul: Florida Panthers and NHL Playoffs Open Forum

The Ottawa Senators knocked out the New York Rangers with a 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden last night. The Senators got a 37-save performance from Craig Anderson and goals from Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, Erik Karlsson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau to take the series in six games.

Ottawa will meet the winner of the Washington Capitals-Pittsburgh Penguins series which will conclude with tonight’s Game 7 at Verizon Center (NBCSN - 7:30 pm).

The Anaheim Ducks will host the Edmonton Oilers tonight in Game 7 action at Honda Center (NBCSN - 10 pm), with the winner advancing to face the Nashville Predators.

In Florida Panthers news, Denis Malgin logged 16:40 of ice time and registered a shot on goal, finished with an even rating, and went 4 of 7 on faceoffs in Switzerland’s 4-3 shootout loss to France at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.

Nick Bjugstad and Team USA will face Italy today, while Mike Matheson, Jason Demers and Canada will get a second straight day off.

Congratulations to former Panthers fourth-round pick (2013) Evan Cowley, who signed an AHL contract with the Springfield Thunderbirds yesterday. I would take that as a sign the Cats aren’t intending to ink Cowley to an NHL entry-level deal.

And finally, it’s being reported that Cowley’s most recent coach, Denver’s Jim Montgomery had a second interview with the Panthers for the head coaching gig. Former Montreal Canadiens coach, Michel Therrien is expected have a second talk with the Cats as well.