The Panthers won their first game of the season on Saturday when David Booth scored in OT against the Thrashers. Once again the Panthers played an aggressive game and deserved to win. If they can keep this pace up then I think we will have a shot at a playoff spot. I was happy that Frolik and Stewart were in the lineup. Hopefully they play tonight as well. I would like Kreps to play instead of Peltonen so that the young guys can continue to develop.
Game 3 is tonight at home vs. Minnesota, a team that has had the Panthers’ number over the years. It will be interesting to see how the Panthers uptempo game will do against the Wild’s trapping style of play. Here’s hoping the Panthers can push through the trap and can keep the Wild out of their zone. McCabe likely won’t be in the lineup tonight but at least his back is not broken as initially reported by TSN. Skrastins may play tonight as well which will be good for the team since Bouwmeester, Allen, Ballard and Boynton have put in a lot of ice time in the first two games.
I will be watching the first couple of periods tonight since I have to leave after 9 to go play in my pick up hockey game. Hopefully I survive my game to write a review tomorrow. As George Richards from the Miami Herald points out, this would be a big win tonight since the next game is Saturday against the Islanders. Win these next two and the Panthers are in okay shape going into a stretch of 8 out of 10 games on the road.
This was a quick post since I’m on my lunch hour but I want to be back sometime tomorrow or Saturday with a Game 3 review and preview against the Islanders. Thanks for reading.
