Not a lot of news since the last blog was posted…just joking. In that time period the Cats:
- Clinched a playoff spot - Most wins in a single season in franchise history (48) - Most points in a single season in franchise history (104) - Huby becomes the first player in Panthers history to record 100 points - Completed a crazy comeback to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-6 in OT
It’s certainly been a special season for this team and I’m hoping they can get away from this “Comeback Cats… identity they’re falling back into. Don’t get me wrong, it makes for exciting hockey, but like we’ve said before, it’s no way to operate long term.
They have an opportunity tonight to be the dominant team that they truly are against a rebuilding Buffalo Sabres squad. While the Sabres are on the right track and are playing better, Florida should really control this game.
If they don’t, and they end up playing from behind (again), that will be concerning to me. It’s already kind of a concerning trend at this point in the season.
These two teams clashed only four days ago when the Cats came away with a 5-3 win. But if you remember correctly, Florida had entered the third period with a 4-1 lead. They took the foot of the gas and allowed Buffalo to get back into the game and nip at the Cats’ paws when they made it 4-3. If it wasn’t for the Panthers PP finally working (miraculous) with 1:30 left in the period, I’m not so sure who wins that one. I could very easily have seen the Sabres come back there.
Florida is in the playoffs, Buffalo is not. The Cats should be expecting a team in the Sabres that’s looking to make their night tough.
We are hosting our Autism Acceptance Night in partnership with @sflford tonight inside @flalivearena!#BUFvsFLA | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/6hp8Gll4gn
— x - Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) April 8, 2022
Here’s some good Ekblad news:
Brunette says Ekblad has recently started skating and hasn’t had any hiccups in his recovery, but he’s still not expected back until the playoffs.
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) April 7, 2022
“Week to week,… he said.
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Go panthers!