Panthers Host Leafs

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17-25-10

VS.

21-21-9

A Hockey Night in Canada game that doesn’t bring the usual excitement, but for whatever it’s worth the Florida Panthers inconsistent nature will be shown live to Canada and it’s anyone’s guess as to what team shows up.

Not being able to find the net often enough, yet getting virtually stellar play from goaltender Tomas Vokoun the Panthers find themselves running out of chances. While the Toronto Maple Leafs are also struggling with many of the same inconsistencies, the Panthers might be able to edge this one out if they can find their offence and Vokoun who I’d expect to get the start, continues his solid play.

Florida will be trying to get point in it’s fifth straight home game against a Maple Leaf team that has only two road victories since December. Stevie Wonder still leads the Cats in goals with 19, but has only one in his last twelve. Nathan Horton had the Panthers only goal on Thurday against the Islanders, but that was his first in four games. He will sit this one out as of this morning. And I can’t quite remember when Michael Frolik scored, but the idea here is that the top line has really cooled off, and not there is obviously not enough secondary scoring. At least on a consistent basis.

Rhino has hit a cold spell even though linemate Cory Stillman has returned from injury, and Rusty has been better lately, but that only is a precurser to another dry spell. Rhino has not scored in his last nine games. As for the third and fourth lines which are really two fourth lines except for maybe Dinty, and once in awhile Radek Dvorak, the scoring is virtually non-existent.

As for Toronto, one of my most favourite Canadian teams they come in deperately trying to hang on in the playoff race. Or at least not finish with the worst record in the NHL, which would give the Boston Bruins a top pick in thie upcoming draft as part of the Phil Kessel deal. Former Panther Niklas Hagman leads the Leafs in goals with 18 and has been on a few teams’ radar for the late season push. A sign of maturity for the finnish winger? He never got going here as youth and sunshine were apparently blocking his growth.

Phil Kessel traded for earlier this year is back on a hot streak of his own after going cold a dn being called out in the media by head coach Ron Wilson. Kessel has a seven game point streak going and has five goals in his last five games against the Panthers.

The Leafs suffer from the same problems that the Panthers do. Poor power play, inconsistent scoring, undisciplined hockey at times. And of course the proverbial slow start to games, with the mad flurry of offence in the last few minutes. Oh and did I forget, Toronto too has a habit of blowing leads in games as well.

In spite of their futilities, the Bank Atlantic Center should have a pretty good crowd tonight. Wish I was going, but can’t find decent tickets at a price I’m willing to pay. Most of the crowd tonight will be Leafs fans I imagine as the snowbirds are still here. Which should make the Panthers feel like they’re on the road. Is that good or bad?

Does it matter?

By the way game two of Hockey Night in Canada: Chicago at Vancouver! Now that’s a game to watch!