Let's take a look at the Florida Panthers

by FrankD on Oct 23, 2009 8:15 AM EDT in 2009-10 game previews

[SBN Panthers Blog - Litterbox Cats]

Tonight the Penguins look to put their new defensive pairings to the test and hopefully also notch Brent Johnson his first win as a Penguin. You may remember Johnson's only start, a depressing 3-0 shutout loss on home ice to the Phoenix Coyotes. Here's to hoping things go a little smoother this time around.

If Johnson wants to get his first win he'll have to do it against the Florida Panthers, a team that isn't exactly off to a strong start. Last year Florida were last in the league in shots allowed. So far this season it doesn't look like things have changed much. The Panthers are once again ranked 30th overall in shots allowed, giving up roughly 36.6 per game. Given the rate of Pittsburgh's offense in the last game against the Blues (43 total shots to St. Louis's 23), this looks like a promising ingredient for victory.

If Pittsburgh learned anything from the aforementioned Coyotes debacle, you can't take any team lightly. You don't "play down" to any team, regardless of what announcers and pundits say. Pittsburgh has to go out there and want it just as bad as any other game.

Tomas Vokoun will likely get the start in net, especially when you consider Scott Clemmensen was yanked early in the loss to Buffalo. Vokoun isn't off to an ideal start (1-5), but there's no denying he's a solid goaltender. Look no further than his only win of the year, a 52 save performance against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 2. Amazingly enough that game also went to a shootout and the Panthers edged out a 4-3 win, otherwise his effort would've only warranted one point.

Other names you want to keep an eye on: Michael Frolik (2g, 3a) leads the team in points. Nathan Horton (2g), and Radek Dvorak (2g, 1a) are also some names you want to consider. Oh yeah, and you might as well at least keep an eye on Keith Ballard. After all, his altercation with Crosby last season didn't exactly go unnoticed.

The Panthers are currently 2-5-1 (14th in the East) after coming off a rough 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday night.

Puck drops at 7:30. Open thread, as always, will hit the page a little after 7.

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Comments

I think I was the only person on the planet who thought the Panthers were going to be a good team this year. They have so many good, young players, I just assumed they’d all get their act together and make a push for the 6th or 7th playoff spot.

Yet again, I was wrong.

by RCheli on Oct 23, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Nope, there were two of us.

Good writeup as always, Frank. And “rough” doesn’t begin to describe Wednesday night! That was a hellaciously long first period, I assure you. Looked like kids out there.

Litter Box Cats - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Oct 23, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I had them 12th in the east…figured they might be a little competitive but overall no threat to challenge for the playoffs, which seems about right.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night

by Hooks Orpik on Oct 23, 2009 10:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

there’s another one of your predictions for the East that might seem just about right at the end of the season, but most of us are still to stunned t admit it;)

You have to see it for yourself...

by Bla Razor on Oct 24, 2009 9:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I had them at the bubble again, because it seems that’s always where Florida is. Let’s give them a break till their annual stretch run in the second half of the year.

by ipenguin67 on Oct 23, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Its ok

I thought the Wild would make the playoffs. Boy do I regret that choice right now. Of course there are still 70+ games left, but damn they look bad.

by biggoron on Oct 23, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Doesn’t help that Sykora is out with a broken hand for the next 4-6 weeks either.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Oct 24, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Any word on what defensemen we have up in place of Gonchar yet?

PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 Minutes for Excessive Stanley Cup Raising.

by Lavender on Oct 23, 2009 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

Gogo is filling in for Gonchar and Skoula is filling in for Gogo.

by PensFan024 on Oct 23, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

No callup yet has been made and the Penguins stay in Pittsburgh (save one short trip to Columbus) until after Halloween.

They go out to play the three California teams in early November, I assume they might call up a defenseman just to have a 7th guy around for that trip.

For now, I think they’re fine with six and can always get a guy quickly if need be.

Pensburgh.com -- it's like the Max Talbot of blogs*

*not just because we only work for 12 minutes a night

by Hooks Orpik on Oct 23, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Ahh, the benefits of having such a close minor league affiliate. I suppose there isn’t a huge rush. Still, if one guy goes down I always like to see one brought to fill that injury void, just as a formality if you lose one another in a game, knock on wood.

PensBurgh penalty - Lavender - 2 Minutes for Excessive Stanley Cup Raising.

by Lavender on Oct 23, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions