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Monday Caterwaul: Florida Panthers Open Forum

“Takeaways” (TkA) is not typically found among the somewhat sexier stats which rise to the headlines with regularity, but it’s worth a peek nonetheless. Forwards Tomas Fleischmann (above), Sean Bergenheim, and John Madden currently lead the Florida Panthers with 4 each over five postseason games; of the three, only Madden has recorded a “giveaway” (GvA). New Jersey wing Patrik Elias paces the Devils with 4 TkAs of his own while coughing up 2 GvAs. The league’s takeaway leader is employed by Ted Leonsis but his name ain’t Alex: center Nicklas Backstrom has 9, two better than anyone else.

Sunday’s NHL results:

  • (5) PHI defeated (4) PIT 5-1, win series 4-2; Flyers advance to Eastern semifinals
  • (8) LA defeated (1) VAN 2-1 (OT), win series 4-1; Kings advance to Western semifinals
  • (2) BOS over (7) WSH, 4-3 (OT): Seguin’s 24th shot of the series finally eludes Holtby; Game Seven on Wednesday from Beantown/

Tonight’s playoff action:

  • (1) NY Rangers at (8) Ottawa, 7 p.m. (NBCSN): Sens have dominant 55-45 faceoff win percentage, lead series 3-2
  • (3) Phoenix at (6) Chicago, 9 p.m. (CNBC): why not just call it a day when the first club scores? Each game has ended in OT; ‘Yotes lead series 3-2/

Ahead for us:

  • Back to Newark tomorrow for Game Six (7:30 p.m.), LBC Game Thread gets rocking one hour prior
  • Watch parties again at Breakaway/Saveology Iceplex and Duffy’s/Plantation
  • Cats/Devs will literally be the only game in town for hockey fans across the United States; NBCSN with the exclusive broadcast
  • The Devils have to do something about the Panthers’ attack on Jersey’s right defense, a tactic that Florida is finally taking to heart. In Game 5, the one Ilya Kovalchuk said would probably decide the series, the Devils opened well, but saw the Panthers grab the momentum by regular and threatening pressure deep on their left wing, where the Devils’ righties work.” – Everson/NYP
  • A trip around the AHL playoffs with Tony; Rampage head to Chicago for Game Three of Calder Cup action Tuesday
  • The LBC hats are in! Well, available for purchase anyway; check the lefthand sidebar on front page for info

Talking Points