Scouting the Enemy: Florida Panthers

by FrankD on Mar 5, 2009 9:15 AM EST in News Comment 18 comments

Record: 33-23-8

Leading scorers:Stephen Weiss (11G, 37A), David Booth (21G, 17A)

There's no way around it - the Panthers utterly destroyed the Penguins in the last meeting back on January 3. It was one of those moments where Pittsburgh fans realized, "Wow, we really need help." Right around that time when experts and talking heads started to overanalyze the Pens as victims of the dismal Stanley Cup hangover. And why not? It's not like Pitt was playing as one complete, cohesive team at the time.

Oh right - there was some kind of Sidney Crosby fight or something too. I don't remember much about that...

Ahem.

Now, as winners of four straight, it's safe to say the Penguins are a different team. They're 6-1-1 under interim head coach Dan Bylsma and show all new signs of offensive prowess. Simply put: they're scoring again. Two straight 5-4 wins over the Canadiens and Flyers, a recent 5-4 win in OT over the Blackhawks and the latest 4-1 win over the Stars are evidence to that. When the offense isn't scoring, the defense is holding down the fort. Marc-Andre Fleury picked up a shutout against the Flyers and allowed only one goal in each of the last two games.

Long story short, they have to keep it up. The Panthers are just two points ahead of the Penguins in the East. Pitt remains in a 72-point tie with the Rangers for the 7/8 seed, while Carolina is sitting back in ninth with 71 and just waiting to knock down the door.

Unfortunately for the Pens (and fortunately for the Panthers) Jay Bouwmeester remained a Panther after all of the wheeling and dealing of deadline day. In fact, the Panthers remained the same team with the exception of swapping former Lightning Steve Eminger in place of Noah Welch.

A big two points await the Pens tonight at Bank Atlantic Center. Time to stretch this win streak to five.

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Any word on Sid playing tonight?

If he is, it’ll be interesting if the Panthers are holding a grudge over that fight.

Either way, hope this streak keeps going. The team has looked a lot better, and they only added more pieces to improve just that.

by Lavender on Mar 5, 2009 9:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone have a link the the Pens record with and without Sid for the past 2 years? I’m just curious.

by JDMaker1 on Mar 5, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And as an aside to that post, I think we’d be hurting more without Malkin in the lineup. You can all bash me if you want.

by JDMaker1 on Mar 5, 2009 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd agree.

But then again, in the ‘best player’ debate, I’ve always supported Malkin over Ovy and Crosby.

I’m fact checking that Crosby record stat right now, gives me something to do at work ;)

by Lavender on Mar 5, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Malkin combines the best of Sid and OV in my opinion. I’m interested to see what you can find on that Crosby record.

by JDMaker1 on Mar 5, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whenever we discuss the “best player” thing I always add “this year”. I really feel Crosby was the best of the three last year and I am pretty confident that Crosby and OV were both better than Malkin last year. Every year for a long time to come one of these three will probably be regarded as the best player, but, it will probably change every year too.

by PensFan024 on Mar 5, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mystery Solved:

With Crosby, the Penguins are 28-18-3, a very nice record that translates to a more-than respectable 97-point season.

``* Without Crosby, the Penguins are 13-6-4, an even better record that translates to a 107-point season.

It’s more around some time last year, according to the article, but I feel like last year was more telling than this year, if that means anything.

by Lavender on Mar 5, 2009 10:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let me state this: I love Geno. Love, love, love Geno. He’s the league’s MVP to me, this year.

But I don’t favor him over Crosby.

Stanley Cup final: Crosby 2 goals, 4 assists…Malkin 1 goal, 2 assists

by Hooks Orpik on Mar 5, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Without Malkin, Crosby isn’t in the Stanley Cup final. For that matter, I always think last year was all about Malkin carrying the team after Sid’s ankle sprain, and Conklin standing up big time.

Personally, I just think Crosby needs someone who he can genuinely click with, like Malkin with Sykora. When he gets back, it’d be interesting to see if Kunitz is that guy.

At the same time, that current line with Kunitz-Staal-Kennedy has been quite nice so far.

by Lavender on Mar 5, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Without Malkin, Crosby isn’t in the Stanley Cup final. For that matter, I always think last year was all about Malkin carrying the team after Sid’s ankle sprain, and Conklin standing up big time.

I don’t debate that either. Malkin was huge last season too.

In a perfect world, we don’t have to find out what the Pens are like without Crosby OR Malkin for a long, long time.

by Hooks Orpik on Mar 5, 2009 11:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was my one fear all of last season when Sid was out. “Please, for the love of Mario, don’t let Malkin get hurt.” We seemed to be getting by just fine with Conklin, but once Sid went down it felt like the wheels were off. Luckily that wasn’t the case, but I don’t think anyone could have looked at the lineup in January and predicted the outcome of last season.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Mar 5, 2009 12:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i agree too

Not that I’m not happy with Crosby, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a player as good as Malkin, at least not since Gretzky and Lemieux were in their primes.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Mar 5, 2009 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it’s important to note we play these guys again next week. Need to send a message.

by JDMaker1 on Mar 5, 2009 9:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to Sunrise

The Litter Box - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Whale4ever on Mar 5, 2009 10:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

For what it’s worth I know the Pens are 4-0-0 during this stretch without Sid. Overall though I can’t say for sure, but it’s definitely more wins than losses.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Mar 5, 2009 10:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs