Point-Counterpoint; Have the Florida Panthers Turned a Corner?

Panther fans argue over whether or not this year's team will finally make the playoffs (photo: hans s/flickr)

The Florida Panthers have put together a moderately respectable streak, leading one to ask, have the Panthers figured things out? The Cats started the season a miserable 2-7-1, including losses of 7-2, 5-2, and 5-1. No energy, no fight, no signs of life. Until the last weekend in October. A resilient win in Dallas, followed by back to back shut out wins, and the Panthers finally had some much needed confidence. Since October 30^th, Florida has gone 5-2-1 and have the appearance of a competitive hockey team. Panther fans are starting to feel a small amount of hope. I am here to present point-counterpoint; are the Panthers ready to breach the postseason for the first time since 2000?

Point; the Panthers are 5-2-1 since October 30^th. The past few seasons, they are a notoriously slow starting team. Last year alone, the Cats went 9-11-3 through November before putting together one of the best records in the NHL in the 2009 calendar year. This season, it looks like Florida may have turned that corner earlier. One reason for this season’s start may have been the addition of an almost entirely new blue line. Jordan Leopold, Dennis Seidenberg, and Dmitry Kulikov are all new additions to the team, plus Bryan Allen is making his return after missing virtually all of last season with a knee injury. It was just a matter of time before the defensemen finally gelled.

Counterpoint; 5-2-1 is a decent 8-game stretch, sure. A closer look reveals that the Panthers’ wins came against Dallas (8^th in the west), St. Louis (13^th in the west), Carolina (last in the east), Boston (10^th in the east), and the New York Islanders (7^th in the east). Not exactly the best in the league. Throw in the fact that 3 of those wins came in shootouts, and 2 of those shootout wins came after the Panthers had a lead. The shootout loss came Monday against the L.A. Kings, and the Panthers took a lead into the 3^rd period. Oh yeah, the two losses came on a home-and-home series against the Washington Capitals, 4-1, and 7-4. That 7-4 game? Panthers had a 3-2 lead going to the 3^rd. Not exactly confidence inspiring stuff.

Panthers' cheerleaders have had reason to dance during a 5-2-1 run (photo: pointnshoot/flickr)

Point; The offense seems to have found a rhythm. Even without last season’s leader, David Booth, who has been out with a concussion since October 24^th, the Cats have scored 3 or more goals in 6 of their past 8 games, something that happened only 3 times in their first 10 matches. 6 players have scored 4 or more goals this season, the same number as the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks, and just 1 player short of a number of other top teams. The biggest problem starting the year was goals allowed, and that can be chalked up to a defense that was still getting used to playing together.

Counterpoint; The Panthers team leader in points? Steven Reinprecht with 15. That places him tied for 62^nd in the NHL. Cory Stillman is 2^nd on the Panthers in goals scored, and he wasn’t able to find the net in their first 11 games. The Panthers were able to get so close to the postseason last year thanks to offensive contributions from its blue line. This year, the Cats defense has scored just 5 times, and no D-man as more than one. This is a team still struggling to find its offensive identity. Whether or not it actually has one remains to be seen.

Point; The Panthers were the victims of a horrendous schedule. Starting with the pre-season, through the season opening trip to Finland, and then playing some of the top teams in the league in the first month on the calendar, the Cats were behind the 8-ball from the start. With 2 games against the Blackhawks and Flyers each, plus contests in Pittsburgh and against the Devils, it was only a matter of time before Florida was able to get a more favorable stretch, earn some confidence and find its winning ways.

Counterpoint; Please. A 7-2 loss to the now-last place Hurricanes? A 3-2 loss in Tampa after taking a 2-1 lead to the 3^rd period? A 3-5-1 home record? Using the preseason travel as an excuse in November doesn’t work. It’s time to put up or shut up. With 9 games in the next 13 days, 22 in the next 36, the Panthers will have their chance to show they are for real. I’m still not buying.

One thing that cannot be argued is the Panthers’ success in the shootout so far this year. Last season, Florida won just 3 times after games went to the breakaway contest, while losing 8. This season, the Cats have already surpassed that number, leading the NHL with 4 wins via the shootout. Had just 1 of those 8 SOLs gone the other way last season, the Panthers would have replaced Montreal as the 8th seed. Maybe this year, its a SOW that gets the Panthers over the hump.

The Panthers’ next few games will be sure to reveal how much optimism fans should have about the remainder of the year. The Sabres, Red Wings, Rangers, Penguins, and Rangers again are up next for the Cats. I think 6 of a possible 10 points is a realistic goal, and one that would increase the glimmer of hope just ever-so slightly in Sunrise, FLA. The Panthers currently sit just 6 points behind the 8^th seed Tampa Bay Lightning, and when you’ve missed the playoffs every season since Y2K, it’s never too early to start watching the standings.