For all of his specatacular abilities, Tomas Vokoun (bottom center) was destined to be less than the difference against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
Prolly not gonna get back on here until after 2pm Wednesday – thanks, work – so it’ll be a diminished recap for now.
A shortie by Washington’s Brooks Laich opened the scoring in the second, during a span of three straight power plays. Ultimately one more goal in the htird would prove to be the difference. An open-netter late in the final fram sealed Florida’s fate.
Perhaps moreso than the last two games, this was a tragically wasted “effort”. The Cats were behind in every category, even those that aren’t counted: jump, enthusiasm, prescience.
But at least Ovie didn’t get his 50th in Sunrise, right?
At which point in what’s known as “the stretch” do we begin to hang the fault of numerous losses on Pete DeBoer, penultimate three-month hero for this club?
Were the Panthers prepared for tonight’s game? Were they properly informed about the opposition? Was a Plan B ready for implementation following a potentially – and ultimately – poor first two periods? I’m not calling for total destruction of the club. By no means. But these questions are fair and must be asked.
Had a lot of fun at Japers’ Rink during the game (link below), and was treated like a true compatriot. Whatever that means. As always, great folks all around.
Panthers’ goaltender Tomas Vokoun is currently speaking, so I shall allow the shallow sympathy I have left to flow in his direction. This loss was not his fault in any way.
Might be getting to the game on Thursday against Toronto…more to come soon…
LITTER BOX LINERS
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AP via NHL: game recap
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Sports Club Stats: Panthers’ playoff chances
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Panthers website
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Capitals website
AROUND THE BLOGOSPHERE
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Panthers Message Board (FLA) best on the ‘net
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Cat Scratch (FLA)
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Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
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Japers’ Rink (WAS) – an SBNation blog
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On Frozen Blog (WAS)
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Capitals Kremlin (WAS)