The third chapter in four years of the Battle for Florida will start today!
After another stellar season — that wasn’t without its hiccups — the Panthers have found themselves pitted against the rival Tampa Bay Lightning in the postseason.
Despite how TBL’s season went, the Atlantic Division Champion Panthers will have their paws full. As we all know, Tampa doesn’t have to finish at the top of the division to make noise in the playoffs. They’re a team who can end the season wherever, and take off to do some damage in the postseason.
As
Litter Box Cats point out:
“
The Lightning enter the postseason in somewhat middling fashion. Since reeling off a five-game winning streak that ran from March 14 to March 21, the Bolts finished the last thirteen games of the campaign with a 7-4-2 record to finish with 98 points. This is the seventh-straight time they have made the postseason. Forward Nikita Kucherov led the league in scoring and established new career-highs in goals (44) and points (144) and became just the fifth player in the NHL history to reach 100 assists in a season. Brayden Point (46) and captain Steven Stamkos (40) also reached the 40-goal. The Lightning boast the league’s most dangerours power play (28.6%), so the Panthers will need to stay out of the penalty box to better their chances for winning the series.”
The Eye Test
“My eyes…the goggles do nothing!”
Apologies for the Radioactive Man (Simpsons) quote above, but I wanted to throw in my two cents via just what I’ve noticed when tuning in this season.
The tandem of Bob and Stolarz is solid. We are very lucky to have two goalies like this, playing the way they are no less, heading into this crucial time of the year. Either guy is capable of stepping in and handling business at any time.
The defense has been vastly improved this season. Getting Ekblad back tonight will be great (just stay healthy!). I’d like to see them really challenge Tampa’s attack tonight. Don’t fall back too much when Lightning forwards enter the zone. Step up and force them to the outside.
As far as the forward corps, I say keep doing what you’re doing. I want to see more out of Tarasenko in terms of actual offensive production. With Okposo…since scoring isn’t really happening, it’s time to do the stuff that doesn’t have a category on the stat sheet and be that playoff depth.
If the Cats can play the way they did in the second period on their last game of the season (against TOR), they will be a nasty force to reckon with.
Oh, yeah…one more thing: STAY. OUT. OF. THE. BOX.
Puck drop can’t come soon enough…
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GO PANTHERS!
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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