With 10 games on tap, all eyes in the league were on the match-up in Florida Thursday night as the Panthers hosted the Coyotes in what can only be described as the most hotly anticipated sporting event in 40 years.

Yes, it was 40 years ago Thursday night, October 30 1974, when Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in the eighth round of the Rumble in the Jungle.

It was one of the biggest upsets in sporting history, and the Coyotes were looking to replicate the feat last night against the powerhouse Panthers.

Sadly, it was not to be. The Panthers got what turns out to be their first regulation time win against the Coyotes since 2007. It was the Coyotes second loss this week in Florida and as such their record falls to 3-5-1, good for last in the West. I had forseen such better things for the Coyotes and for myself, but, as I write this tonight in my Mom's basement, the irony of the situation is not lost on me.

No big deal though. The season is still young and the Coyotes will be sure to rise. There were even good signs tonight. The team allowed under seven goals, so that was a plus. Mike Smith was good, the team put over 30 shots at the net and the Panthers had to get a pretty lucky bounce to score the winning goal.

Doan, who continues to have no luck and just one goal, was robbed by a probably slightly showboating Luongo with just minutes to go and the team had a little pressure and a couple good chances to score with the goalie out before an icing ruined all their momentum.

Still, when you're in last place you can't get too down. A game in which you could have won is not as good as winning, but its a far sight better than what happened Tuesday. And before you say "well it was just the Panthers," I think the Panthers are probably a bit better than you think. They are 3-2-3 and didn't really allow the Coyotes a lot of room tonight. Yes, Arizona got 34 shots, but it's not like most of them were too dangerous. The Panthers seem to have good defense and they shut you down.

With Luongo in net and them winning without getting much from Huberdeau and Barkov, who are sure bets to start producing soon, the future looks pretty good there. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the Panthers have quietly put together one of the best groups of young players in the league.

Anyways, it was a good game. And, as I write this, I'm watching the Canadiens game in French, so in retrospect the Coyotes game being in English was another positive, as I do not understand French.

Take them where you can find them.

See you Saturday as the Coyotes road trip continues in Carolina, where unfortunately, I fear the law of averages and the fact the Hurricanes currently have only 2 points will not work in the our favor.

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