It’s no secret the Panthers have recalled winger Steve MacIntyre from Rochester to fill a spot on the third or fourth line in anticipation of someone – Michael Frolik? Cory Stillman? – heading to the first. David Booth‘s shoes may not be easily filled, but the Cats did complete 45 games without him. “Complete” as in just that: they got through the stretch, albeit without a ton of success.
The Cats – at seven points behind Boston for the 8th and final playoff position – have nine games remaining. SportClubStats estimates the worst-case scenario to sneak in will have to be no less than a 6-3-0 run (with help, obviously) to provide a 1% chance at grabbing the eighth spot. Everybody loves an underdog!
So it’s the Panthers in Ottawa this evening to close out a short three-game trip in Canada. I’ll be at the BAC…for Disney on Ice: Rambo Revisited or some such affair. Hopefully they’ll have a television tuned to the game. Regardless, the Live Forum will go active around 6pm.