Let's face it.
The Florida Panthers have been a mediocre team in a mediocre division.
At least that what the record says.
At 23-19-10 it's a miracle of sorts the Panthers are above .500.
Of all the years for Florida to be beat up beyond belief, it's unfortunate it was this season in an Atlantic Division that is very weak.
But alas, the Panthers have been an infirmary ward that have had them treading water in the hopes of a late run at the playoffs.
After 51 games, Florida management finally got a look at the team they envisioned last summer during a 2-1 home victory against Anaheim last Friday.
During the past two weeks, Alex Petrovic(ankle), Nick Bjugstad(groin), Aleksander Barkov(back), and Jonathan Huberdeau(Achilles) returned to the lineup just in time to make a move in the division.
There have been injuries to other players, but those four vital players combined for 127 man games lost.
Call them excuses or not, but when the #1 line hasn't been together all year, including the third best center in opposition shot suppression, it has an effect on results. Although hypothetical, a healthy squad would likely be sitting in second place at worst in the Atlantic. Gerard Gallant would likely still have his job. But that is a discussion for another day.
The Ducks are a big, talented, tested team. The smaller Panthers stood toe to toe with them all game. It should not be a surprise that Barkov set up Huberdeau for the game-winner. That is the type of production sorely missed from this lineup for over half the season.
Now that Florida is coming out of their bye week, the schedule is about to ratchet up to a feverish pace where health to Huberdeau and Barkov is paramount. From the looks of what they can bring the rest of the way it is finally exciting times for Panther Nation.
Better late than never, especially when it was hinted a few weeks ago there was concern Huberdeau and/or Barkov could be lost for the rest of the year.
Huberdeau's Friday return was shocking since he was still slated for an early March return days before.
With the trade deadline approaching, it is hard to see the Panthers being active participants as they just acquired the talent they already owned after excruciating patience.
The positive trickle effect throughout the lines and defensive pairings has the Panthers set up to be a very dangerous team for the rest of the season. Florida finds themselves three points out of the last wild card spot and four out of second in the division and are essentially all even in games played with the teams they're chasing.
Add a coaching change to the rash of injuries and it is remarkable the Cats have a shot at the postseason at all. The benefit of a weak division is it allows a lot of teams to hang around.
This is a team that was holding on for dear life. This is a team trying to tune out all the noise of the outside "experts" that think they know everything. This is a team that didn't have the firepower to be the true Panthers assembled last summer and build off their best season in franchise history. These have been kittens in comparison to what is expected of these Panthers.
All hands are on deck and mercifully there are no names on the IR list. Time will tell if there is enough of it to achieve more than last season. With the way the playoff race is shaping up, anything is possible.
Dan Spiegel
Florida Panthers Media
Follow me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page
Connect with me on Google Plus
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»