Panther Preview. Quick Turnaround In D.C.
By Frank Rekas
VS.
Just what the Florida Panthers need after losing another lead to the Carolina Hurricanes last night. A game against the Washington Capitals the night after. In Washington. You can read Josh’s recap of last night’s game. I’m not touching it. For even more insight, go to On Frozen Pond, where George Richards reminds us again of Eric Staal and what could have been. Sigh.
One thing I will comment on that will be a problem tonight is fatigue. Five games in seven nights is alot for anyone. But knowing that, and a game tonight, three Panther forwards played less than ten minutes last night. Mike Santorelli, Rusty Olesz and Steve Bernier were all but invisible, especially in the third frame. Spells trouble for this game, and the top nine, or at least the nine that were getting the bulk of time will be tired. Put your seatbelts on, this could be an ugly one. A potential three game losing streak is in the air.
Remember the last time the Panthers played the Washington Capitals in Washington? Five power play opportunities for the Caps in the first period. No goals. Then with one second left in the second frame, the Panthers scored to take a 1-0 lead and ended up defeating Washington 3-0. Oh yea, and that f-bomb tirade on the HBO special 24/7. We caused that. Ha ha!
In short, the Panthers will have their work cut out for them tonight and will need to play a very boring road game as they try to slow down Washington. Where’s Jacques Martin when you need him to pour five gallon buckets of paint on the ice so we can watch them dry? Yes, we’ll have to trap. We’ll have to slow the game down. We’ll have to be careful. Maybe even try cycling in the Capitals end. I’m not feeling good about this game at all. Also, Washington has given up only 14 goals in their last nine games. Thanks for that @onfrozenpond.
Florida is 3-5 this year in the second of back to back games. Washington has been off for three days. Last night Stephen Weiss was a minus three. He wasn’t good with the puck or without the puck. He looked tired. The more I type the worse it gets. Oh, did I mention that Washington comes here this coming Tuesday?
Bruce Boudreau will be shuffling lines for tonight as Alexander Ovechkin could be on a line with Brooks Laich and Marcus Johannson. Meaning that Nicklas Backstrom probably gets Mike Knuble and Alexander Semin. Either way, all that spells trouble for Florida. Or as Bruce would say fricking trouble. (sorry kids read this)
Good news? The Caps power play has converted only 4 of 50 chances in the last 12 games. Hey Jim Hulton are you pulling a double shift? The Panthers power play is still weak, and non existent for the most part. last night was awful as nothing, and I mean nothing happened in the chances they had.
No idea as I type this who will be in goal. It’s anyone’s guess, but I’m not making one.
The TSN gameday preview. Our Fansided opponent Capitals Ousider.
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