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Forums :: Blog World :: Matt Ross: Game 2: Cats vs Hawks
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Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jan 18 @ 10:55 PM ET
Matt Ross: Game 2: Cats vs Hawks
Ratsreign
Florida Panthers
Location: Mo can stay awhile, FL
Joined: 10.27.2017

Jan 19 @ 10:50 AM ET
Bob plays tonight.
Nutivaara returned to practice...but then ends up on Covid list (?). Hopefully that doesn’t lead to problems for FL. Too many D to work everyone in, maybe Stralman gets some games off to get others in. Waiver-exempt Stillman gonna get stuck watching too often, I think. Will be interesting to see how Q works this.
I was also impressed with Verhaeghe opening night, think FL snagged a very good player there.
As for Yandle, I will say his effort defensively was noticeably improved in game 1. If you haven’t heard Friedman’s 31 Thoughts podcast from yesterday, it’s worth a listen. Apparently some (unnamed/unknown) players called out his effort at the end of year meetings after NYI embarrassed them in the play-in series. But, then the players stuck up for him last week to not be scratched to end his games played streak. I would still say Yandle’s days as a Panther are numbered.
https://podcast.sportsnet...-while-we-were-recording/
The part about Yandle is right at the start of podcast.
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jan 19 @ 11:21 AM ET
Bob plays tonight.
Nutivaara returned to practice...but then ends up on Covid list (?). Hopefully that doesn’t lead to problems for FL. Too many D to work everyone in, maybe Stralman gets some games off to get others in. Waiver-exempt Stillman gonna get stuck watching too often, I think. Will be interesting to see how Q works this.
I was also impressed with Verhaeghe opening night, think FL snagged a very good player there.
As for Yandle, I will say his effort defensively was noticeably improved in game 1. If you haven’t heard Friedman’s 31 Thoughts podcast from yesterday, it’s worth a listen. Apparently some (unnamed/unknown) players called out his effort at the end of year meetings after NYI embarrassed them in the play-in series. But, then the players stuck up for him last week to not be scratched to end his games played streak. I would still say Yandle’s days as a Panther are numbered.
https://podcast.sportsnet...-while-we-were-recording/
The part about Yandle is right at the start of podcast.

- Ratsreign


Hey Rats -

I saw the Bob and Nutivaara news this morning too. I could see Stralman getting some nights off in order to rotate some young guys in and see what they have on the backend. It will be a bummer about Stillman if that happens and he’s the old man out.

I saw the Friedman info, but didn’t listen to the podcast. I never know what to make of the locker room stuff like that. I agree with you about Yandle’s days possibly being numbered in Florida. I just think they have too many young guys looking to get into the lineup that offer different looks for the backend.
JimboCoppertone
Florida Panthers
Location: Sunny SoFla
Joined: 01.22.2016

Jan 19 @ 11:25 AM ET
Can the Cats carry the momentum? Let's hope so. Hawks might be looking to get out of Florida and play Detroit at home.

The first period was a bit disjointed for the Panthers but I thought they came out of it fairly well and got a good jump at the start of the second period. Overall, I was impressed with the effort throughout the game. They took it to a new level after the Hawks tied it up at 2 each. I thought the defensive effort was significantly improved from the disaster we saw during the Islanders series. Drieger made some great saves but he did face a couple of breakaways. I do think the signs are clear that the Panthers will be tougher to play against and that is a huge improvement over the soft Panthers of years past.

Panthers need some additional practice on both the PP and PK.

I thought Yandle was making an effort to be more responsible defensively. He'll never be a shut-down guy, but at least he looked like he was trying. Still had the turnovers, dumb passes, and the penalty that cost a pp goal. But my main complaint was always lack of effort on defense. Did he really get the message or was this a one-time thing? We'll see. I remain doubtful; one average game certainly doesn't clear the memory of what I saw for the past several seasons.

Bob tonight. Let's hope he sees the puck well. If so, could be a good game for the Panthers.

Go Panthers!
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jan 19 @ 12:20 PM ET
Can the Cats carry the momentum? Let's hope so. Hawks might be looking to get out of Florida and play Detroit at home.

The first period was a bit disjointed for the Panthers but I thought they came out of it fairly well and got a good jump at the start of the second period. Overall, I was impressed with the effort throughout the game. They took it to a new level after the Hawks tied it up at 2 each. I thought the defensive effort was significantly improved from the disaster we saw during the Islanders series. Drieger made some great saves but he did face a couple of breakaways. I do think the signs are clear that the Panthers will be tougher to play against and that is a huge improvement over the soft Panthers of years past.

Panthers need some additional practice on both the PP and PK.

I thought Yandle was making an effort to be more responsible defensively. He'll never be a shut-down guy, but at least he looked like he was trying. Still had the turnovers, dumb passes, and the penalty that cost a pp goal. But my main complaint was always lack of effort on defense. Did he really get the message or was this a one-time thing? We'll see. I remain doubtful; one average game certainly doesn't clear the memory of what I saw for the past several seasons.

Bob tonight. Let's hope he sees the puck well. If so, could be a good game for the Panthers.

Go Panthers!

- JimboCoppertone


Well said, Jimbo!

I’m very curious about Bob tonight...
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 19 @ 3:38 PM ET
Crikey now the canes got the vid! Are we getting postponed again?
Ratsreign
Florida Panthers
Location: Mo can stay awhile, FL
Joined: 10.27.2017

Jan 19 @ 3:46 PM ET
Stillman gets in the lineup tonight
Forsling will be out.
Lomberg sits and Hinostroza in.
Ratsreign
Florida Panthers
Location: Mo can stay awhile, FL
Joined: 10.27.2017

Jan 19 @ 3:47 PM ET
Crikey now the canes got the vid! Are we getting postponed again?
- Shynes57

Looks very possible. Canes game tonight is postponed.
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jan 19 @ 4:51 PM ET
Looks very possible. Canes game tonight is postponed.
- Ratsreign


Agreed. I would be surprised if they were able to have the game Thursday - but we’ll see what happens.
harveykline
Joined: 09.01.2009

Jan 19 @ 7:36 PM ET
Dubois for Ekblad straight up
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 19 @ 8:22 PM ET
Damnit boys if youre not going to kill the penalty you better not take any
harveykline
Joined: 09.01.2009

Jan 19 @ 8:45 PM ET
Here’s my early observation. SOS lousy panthers defense. Same results, different year
harveykline
Joined: 09.01.2009

Jan 19 @ 8:47 PM ET
Here’s my early observation. SOS lousy panthers defense. Same results, different year
- harveykline

Ekblad and Weeger terrible top 2. Stralman old, Stillman young, Yandle is Yandle
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 19 @ 9:10 PM ET
Oh my god put bob back on the shelf. And fire the powerplay coach... terrible
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 19 @ 9:13 PM ET
I say as they score a pp goal.
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jan 19 @ 9:22 PM ET
In the blog for the first game, I mentioned that Kubalik is a guy the Cats need to be aware of when he’s on the ice - especially if he starts getting it going.

Well, two goals so far tonight...haha.

Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 19 @ 9:27 PM ET
Far too many key faceoffs lost for my liking. Stillman is not going to keep a spot in the lineup if he keeps throwing homerun passes up the middle unsuccessfully
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 19 @ 9:43 PM ET
Thank goodness. Almost lost to an AHL team with a first NHL game goalie
Matt Ross
Joined: 03.15.2013

Jan 20 @ 2:03 PM ET
Sounds like the Hurricanes are postponing their games through at least January 23rd, so that would mean their two-game series against the Panthers won’t be happening this week.
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 20 @ 2:40 PM ET
Ffs! I got this bag of chips to get fatter on while watching cats hockey
Ratsreign
Florida Panthers
Location: Mo can stay awhile, FL
Joined: 10.27.2017

Jan 20 @ 5:14 PM ET
At times they looked like last years team trying to get out of their zone. Stillman had a bad night. Bob let in one real stinker, it was good to see they came right back to tie the game afterward. Bob kicks out a lot of juicy rebounds, which too often causes chaos amongst the defense.
Carter Verhaeghe very impressive in the first two games. Great signing by Zito ...Nice to be Tampa and not have room for a player like him, lol. Having to share AHL with TB this season might be the best thing that ever happened for Panther player development
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 20 @ 5:20 PM ET
Id like bob to have goals 3 and 4. That short side backhander should never go and that one from the point i would expect a $10,000 goalie to have let alone a $10,000,000 goalie. Has huberdeau always been slow or did he lose a step? Or did he only get the puck at the end of his shift?
Ratsreign
Florida Panthers
Location: Mo can stay awhile, FL
Joined: 10.27.2017

Jan 20 @ 5:42 PM ET
Id like bob to have goals 3 and 4. That short side backhander should never go and that one from the point i would expect a $10,000 goalie to have let alone a $10,000,000 goalie. Has huberdeau always been slow or did he lose a step? Or did he only get the puck at the end of his shift?
- Shynes57

Yeah, Bob leaves the top of net too open on plays like that. but Kane put that right under the bar, it might’ve went in even if Bob didn’t play so low.
Huberdeau has never been the fastest guy.
Shynes57
Florida Panthers
Joined: 11.12.2019

Jan 23 @ 5:59 AM ET
Yikes dont get any penalties against dallas. Went 5/8 in their first game