Programming Note: The Litter Box and Raw Charge will be holding a combined “Road Trip”-style open thread for this evening’s Panthers-Lightning game. In essence, the first and third periods (and any overtime) will be hosted at RC while the second period will be here. Tomorrow we’ll reverse it. It’s a great way to get to know our cross-state pals while mocking them for reacquiring Chris Gratton seventeen times. Further details to come in the Game Forum around 6pm.
We’ve reached the final road game of the season, and though it impacts nothing playoff-wise, it does provide a sense of legitimate anticipation for the upcoming draft lottery on Tuesday (Versus, Open Forum right here at 7) since a juicy lottery spot is still very much up for grabs. The teams may be playing for pride, but many fans have other ideas; we’re all in the same boat this weekend.
We’ll keep it simple this afternoon and ask one question: what was the best Panthers road game of the year?
I’m inclined to go with the season opener in Helsinki, a 4-3 shootout victory over the Blackhawks, for three reasons: the Cats beat a very good Western club, hopes were high for a respectable year, and it was a shootout win…something the Panthers had struggled over mightily the previous season.
Got to be other solid candidates out there…let’s hear ’em.