The Florida Panthers have their work cut out for them this week, with four tough games stuffed into a six day period. The Cats will drop in on the league’s three California outposts before finishing off the trek in Nashville on Saturday night against the surprising Predators.
Tonight’s opponent, the Anaheim Ducks, come into the game sporting the best record in the Western Conference at 11-3-4. The Ducks dropped a tough 3-2 overtime decision to Panthers’ second foe on the trip, the Los Angeles Kings, last night in Tinsel Town.
The Cats are coming off a somewhat disappointing 1-1-1 homestand that included blowing a big lead (for the Panthers) against Calgary, the team’s best game of 2014-15 to date against San Jose and Friday night’s third period comeback to salvage a point against the Islanders.
Despite posting just five wins, Florida has been a scrappy bunch so far this season, collecting points in ten of the league-low fourteen games they’ve played. The club will need to keep up that kind of effort to make this trip a success. The offense has shown some much-needed signs of life lately, while the defense has started to let a little bit of sloppiness creep in.
Look for workhorse Roberto Luongo to get the start for the Cats, while Anaheim may counter with number one Frederik Andersen. Andersen did go last night against the Kings, so the Cats could see his backup, Jason LaBarbera, instead.
Join the always fun LBC GameThread roundabout 7:30. Luckily for those of us in serious need of some shuteye, tonight’s game has an early west coast start time. Stop by Anaheim Calling for more Duck stuff.