If/when Jose fails in net (his playoff performances are pretty week), I wonder if they'd consider using Markstrom. He's the only goalie in the organization that could steal a game or two.
- houseofcards74

They might be playing Clemmensen, he's played well of late and he has played well against the Devils.

Gotto love the Panthers underdog story. It is incredible the way they won the division. I'm looking for to a hard fought series, and I think it goes to 7 games. Certainly not looking past the Panthers.

Building was electric last night. To me, this is just the beginning. I love the future of the team and franchise. Thank you Bill Torrey, Dale Tallon, and Kevin Dineen.

Here's how I look at it..

Losing in the SO or in OT is basically the same as getting a tie. When you got a tie, you got a point. The winning team gets two points... so really whats wrong with the system? The NHL is giving teams that extra chance to get a very important point. We blow in the shootout.. so really we earned what, another 6 points from winning them? Maybe 7. A lot of our OT/SO losses were such because we blew late leads. So many times we had a decent lead and lost it.. see last week's Winnipeg game. Once we learn to control the lead and play with more confidence, the 38 wins we got turns into 43+.

On a side note, prospects galore. Markstrom, Robak, Petrovic, Huberdeau, Howden... too many more to even name them all. I think this season, and now the playoff berth, does a lot to help Gudbranson as well. The last time we made the playoffs, we got throttled the next season. 12 years ago, we didn't have our future waiting in the wings like we do now. Draft picks were wasted. Signings and trades were horrible.

Now Dan, I wouldn't go and antagonize other fan bases. When it comes down to it, we were REALLY close to not making it at all. Am I happy we did? Uh... DUH! I already got my tickets. But we almost didn't get here.



Oh, one more thing... no shootouts in the playoffs, and that can only favor us. Enjoy the games everyone, and Happy Easter.

Building was electric last night. To me, this is just the beginning. I love the future of the team and franchise. Thank you Bill Torrey, Dale Tallon, and Kevin Dineen.
- PanthersGoal

more than 19,000 last night, more than 17,000 last Tuesday, and they are getting some front page coverage around town now, a good playoff series (win or lose) that goes 7 and ticket sales will spike.

I fully expect the Devils series to be a very tough one. It surely will be as Milbury said that the Devils have the easiest opponent in the east and lucked out getting the Panthers, which of course means it will be the opposite.

Think of this: Panthers with their name on the cup: Madden (x3), Versteeg, Samuelsson, Kopecky, Campbell. Panthers with playoff experience- without re-naming those above: Bergenheim, Goc, Jovo, Flash, Smithson, Theodore, Sturm, Wolski, Upshall, Weaver, Barch, Clemmer.

Plenty of playoff experience to face Jersey with.

I think he's saying by going to a three-point system, it basically screws all the past history and the records set by prior teams.
- _Zippy_

But allowing OT, the loser point, and the shootout already skewed everything. And regular season points records mean poop to me. We could still easily calculate how a team would have done in a different point system.

Here's how I look at it..

Losing in the SO or in OT is basically the same as getting a tie. When you got a tie, you got a point. The winning team gets two points... so really whats wrong with the system? The NHL is giving teams that extra chance to get a very important point. We blow in the shootout.. so really we earned what, another 6 points from winning them? Maybe 7. A lot of our OT/SO losses were such because we blew late leads. So many times we had a decent lead and lost it.. see last week's Winnipeg game. Once we learn to control the lead and play with more confidence, the 38 wins we got turns into 43+.

On a side note, prospects galore. Markstrom, Robak, Petrovic, Huberdeau, Howden... too many more to even name them all. I think this season, and now the playoff berth, does a lot to help Gudbranson as well. The last time we made the playoffs, we got throttled the next season. 12 years ago, we didn't have our future waiting in the wings like we do now. Draft picks were wasted. Signings and trades were horrible.

Now Dan, I wouldn't go and antagonize other fan bases. When it comes down to it, we were REALLY close to not making it at all. Am I happy we did? Uh... DUH! I already got my tickets. But we almost didn't get here.



Oh, one more thing... no shootouts in the playoffs, and that can only favor us. Enjoy the games everyone, and Happy Easter.
- Panthers88

These are exactly my thoughts, but never took the time to post it in here

These are exactly my thoughts, but never took the time to post it in here


- MightyPee

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow
- twistedwrister9

Boo-Freakin' Hoo.....

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow
- twistedwrister9

Bitter much?

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow
- twistedwrister9

O.k., listen closely, I don't want everyone to hear this, but I'll tell you because you are a Buffalo fan and I care about you guys, the whole Hawerchuk/Lafontaine legacy thing, can't help it. So, THIS summer, when you go on a massive spending spree with your owner's deep pockets, MAYBE, just MAYBE....spend wisely

Now, a song:
Buffalo tried to buy a team, doo-dah, doo-dah, Buffalo tried to buy a team, doo-dah, doo, da, Buffalo tried to buy a team, didn't protect their goalie, and now their playing golf, hey!

Take your garbage elsewhere dork.

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow
- twistedwrister9

Ya know, it isn't our fault you guys decided to play hockey in February. We didn't play very well post All-Star Break. But we played VERY well before it, and we were able to take nights off because of the point lead we had built in the first 3 months of the season. Get over the system. I'm sure if you backed in you'd be elated. And just so you know, not one Panther's fan was rooting for you guys to get knocked out.

Get a new coach, a new GM, spend money with some intelligence, and next year you'll win your division.

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow
- twistedwrister9

Big man arnt you your team pulled off one more win then we did but did you forget your team lost 11 times in OT/SO but ya you keep on talking...

Big man arnt you your team pulled off one more win then we did but did you forget your team lost 11 times in OT/SO but ya you keep on talking...
- Crazycaboose

Yeah and notice how the system isn't flawed until his team doesn't make it in..

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow
- twistedwrister9

At this point it doesn't matter... they got in. They didn't do anything wrong... everyone can have loser points in the NHL. Maybe the sabres shoulda exploited the system? who knows. The Florida Panthers made the playoffs and won a division -> Fact

Congrats panther fans!

Well.... I was pretty angry when I responded to that Buffalo fan yesterday. Which leads me to this:

I had just read the Hockey News playoff article which once again included a complete lack of any deep analysis or understanding of this Panthers team and more or less handed the series to New Jersey as a "gimme." I do not know why I continue to vist THN, their stuff always sucks and they take particularly nasty shots at sunbelt hockey. Is anybody else so tired of hearing about the "loser point?"

Simply put, the rule is the rule, and it has cost the Panthers dearly. Recall 2008-09, the last time the Panthers were on the cusp of the playoffs. We finished tied with Montreal with 93 points. We lost the tiebreaker (season series with Montreal, which is no longer used). That season Montreal went 7-7 in the shootout, meaning they had 14 points off of shootout victories. The Panthers went 3-8 in shootouts that year, meaning we got 6 points from shootout victories. Otherwise, the team's records were an identical 41-30-11.

This season, Buffalo got 14 points off of shootout wins, Pittsburgh 18 points off SO wins, New Jersey 24 points off SO wins, Boston 18 points off of SO wins, and the Panthers? 12 points off of SO wins. Florida also lost 11 shootouts, more than any team but Montreal. And that makes some sense as Florida just does not possess the type of NHL superstar individual talent that Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Boston do. BUT we are deep with gritty, hard working players that make things difficult for other teams. In short-- there is no denying that the Panthers are 1) better as a whole than as parts and 2) play good team hockey.

All this complaining about the shootout loss point. What about the shootout WIN point? So you couldn't do it in 60 minutes of team play. Then you could not do it in 5 minutes of 4 on 4 team play, but hell, you got Malkin, you got Segin, you got Kovalchuk, so.......take out every aspect of the game but shootout skill and shootout goaltending and give out an extra point for it. Very entertaining I agree, but Jersey got 24 points off of shootout wins. 16 games they could not finish opponents in 65 minutes of team play, but no problem, they got more shootout prowess than any team in the league, bam 24 points. Pittsburgh, 12 times they could not finish teams off in 65, but when healthy (a small portion of the season I admit) they got loads of individual talent, and bam: 18 points.

Nobody complains about that. Why would they, a win is a win right? Thats entertainment and I enjoy it, but thats not hockey.....

Well.... I was pretty angry when I responded to that Buffalo fan yesterday. Which leads me to this:

I had just read the Hockey News playoff article which once again included a complete lack of any deep analysis or understanding of this Panthers team and more or less handed the series to New Jersey as a "gimme." I do not know why I continue to vist THN, their stuff always sucks and they take particularly nasty shots at sunbelt hockey. Is anybody else so tired of hearing about the "loser point?"

Simply put, the rule is the rule, and it has cost the Panthers dearly. Recall 2008-09, the last time the Panthers were on the cusp of the playoffs. We finished tied with Montreal with 93 points. We lost the tiebreaker (season series with Montreal, which is no longer used). That season Montreal went 7-7 in the shootout, meaning they had 14 points off of shootout victories. The Panthers went 3-8 in shootouts that year, meaning we got 6 points from shootout victories. Otherwise, the team's records were an identical 41-30-11.

This season, Buffalo got 14 points off of shootout wins, Pittsburgh 18 points off SO wins, New Jersey 24 points off SO wins, Boston 18 points off of SO wins, and the Panthers? 12 points off of SO wins. Florida also lost 11 shootouts, more than any team but Montreal. And that makes some sense as Florida just does not possess the type of NHL superstar individual talent that Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Boston do. BUT we are deep with gritty, hard working players that make things difficult for other teams. In short-- there is no denying that the Panthers are 1) better as a whole than as parts and 2) play good team hockey.

All this complaining about the shootout loss point. What about the shootout WIN point? So you couldn't do it in 60 minutes of team play. Then you could not do it in 5 minutes of 4 on 4 team play, but hell, you got Malkin, you got Segin, you got Kovalchuk, so.......take out every aspect of the game but shootout skill and shootout goaltending and give out an extra point for it. Very entertaining I agree, but Jersey got 24 points off of shootout wins. 16 games they could not finish opponents in 65 minutes of team play, but no problem, they got more shootout prowess than any team in the league, bam 24 points. Pittsburgh, 12 times they could not finish teams off in 65, but when healthy (a small portion of the season I admit) they got loads of individual talent, and bam: 18 points.

Nobody complains about that. Why would they, a win is a win right? Thats entertainment and I enjoy it, but thats not hockey.....
- clarkey

I'm just saying if you switch jerseys shootout record they wouldn't be in the playoffs! Switch the panthers shootout record we would have 2nd in the EC I think I can't remember exact record.

I'm just saying if you switch jerseys shootout record they wouldn't be in the playoffs! Switch the panthers shootout record we would have 2nd in the EC I think I can't remember exact record.
- Crazycaboose

Obviously you can't do much math....

Panthers shootout record->6-11->23 points
Panthers SO record flipped->11-6->28 points.

Only a five point differential, giving them 99 points, which wouldn't come close to second in the conference...

Devils SO record---------->12-4->28 points.
Devils SO record flipped-> 4-12-> 20 points.

That would take away 8 points, giving the Devils 94 points, and they would still be sixth in the conference....

Neither team would move if their shootout records were "switched" so the shootout record favoring either team is an irrelevant point of conversation.

Is it Friday yet?

...congratulations.....you got in with less wins than the Sabres and the same as the lightning thanks to a flawed system that allows for so many loser points. Oh yeah and you won your division because it's quite possibly the worst division in hockey. But keep trying to serve up that crow
- twistedwrister9

leino!

The shootout loser point makes sense as far as I am concerned, thats not real hockey, a Shootout, so there should be a compensation for getting to a shootout. However, just dropping the shootout altogether solves everything! Every game should be 2 points:

Win in regulation or OT, 2 points
Lose in regulartion or OT, 0 points
Tie at end of OT, 1 point each

Then, just use shootouts for tiebreakers. Highest shootout percentage is the first tiebreaker.

The problem is that the shootout is not a good meter of a teams hockey abilities. Its part of the all-star game for a reason; its fun for fans and players but takes the 'team' aspect out of the game. Keep it for tiebreakers and fans, but bring back ties at the end of OT!

Obviously you can't do much math....

Panthers shootout record->6-11->23 points
Panthers SO record flipped->11-6->28 points.

Only a five point differential, giving them 99 points, which wouldn't come close to second in the conference...

Devils SO record---------->12-4->28 points.
Devils SO record flipped-> 4-12-> 20 points.

That would take away 8 points, giving the Devils 94 points, and they would still be sixth in the conference....

Neither team would move if their shootout records were "switched" so the
shootout record favoring either team is an irrelevant point of conversation.
- _Zippy_

You say I can't do math but it looks like you can't read yourself I said I didn't know the shootout records. And either way your team would not look as good if they had flipped their record. And they would be just barley making the playoffs!

You say I can't do math but it looks like you can't read yourself I said I didn't know the shootout records. And either way your team would not look as good if they had flipped their record. And they would be just barley making the playoffs!
- Crazycaboose

You weren't even close though. It doesn't affect the seeding whatsoever if they were to flip the shoot out records.