Reports of quality-control problems with the ice surface at RBC were evidently true.
Cats @ Canes, 7p – RBC Center, FSN-FL (HD!)
Panthers: 26-19-8 60P, 2nd in SE Hurricanes: 27-22-5 59P, 3rd in SE
LAST 10: FLA: 6-3-1 TOR: 6-4-0
HOME & AWAY: FLA (A): 12-13-3 CAR (H): 14-10-1
GAME 5 of 6 SEASON SERIES: 2-1-1 (FLA)
ALL-TIME: 40-28-11 (HAR/CAR)
PROMOTIONS: Teeechur Apresheashun Nite
Here’s the big one.
53 games in. The Panthers hold a one-point hold on eighth-place. Dominating victories. Come-from-behind heroics. Goals-of-the-week. Strengthened confidence and a newborn sense of unity and team. A Jack Adams-candidate coach.
Welcome to Raleigh, fellas. I won’t bring up the past. Won’t do it. We all know the record. The disappointments. The questionable calls. Blown leads. Crushing losses. We have our opinions on Eric Staal. I shall not post “diver down” flags, nor will I make half-assed corny references to Hartford. Ancient history.
“It’s definitely crunch time for us, and all you have to do to remind yourself is to take a look at those standings and see how tight of a race it is,”
– Canes’ goaltender Cam Ward
The Florida Panthers have improved tremendously and conquered many demons in so remarkably short a period. We as fans can let go of the animosity, believe in the new-version Cats, and cheer on what may be a brave new world of success for our club.
Carolina is – to me – the Panthers’ most legitimate rival. There is a (real or perceived) sense of anger and competitiveness; almost a snarling respect for one another, even after several years of what some considered to be the Hurricanes playing a less-than-honorable style of hockey. That coach is no longer there. So let’s collectively wipe the past from our minds. This is a new Panthers squad.
”(This) will be like a playoff game,”
– Cats’ coach Pete DeBoer
Actually, coach…EVERY game has been a playoff game this season. There have been no easy nights. The Cats will not simply cruise into the postseason without treating each and every contest, no matter the opponent, as a one-game playoff.
Florida is currently 2-1-1 against the Canes this year. That stat actually pleasantly surprised me. Let’s make it three, guys. Keep it rollin’.
BATTERED & BRUISED
Brindy returns tonight, continuing his quest for the Selke.
Same old here, though Belak’s still a bit under the weather.
LITTER BOX LINERS
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Miami Herald: Thursday match like a playoff game, Blog
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Sun-Sentinel: Crucial stretch starts tonight, Skolnik: time for Horton to shoot
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AP via NHL.com: game preview
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AccuScore via The Sporting News
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Mirtle’s Playoff Push
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Panthers website
FROM THE BLOGOSPHERE
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Cat Scratch (FLA)
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Panthers on the Prowl (FLA)
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Canes Country (CAR) an SBNation Blog
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Red & Black Hockey (CAR)
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John Forslund’s Blog (CAR)
THE WARMUP
Noah Welch (‘member him?) goads rookie Brandon Sutter into a scrap, December 18, 2008. Nice effort, Noah.