Blackhawks and Panthers Are Sneaking up on the Wild

The race atop of the NHL standings is really heating up.  The Wild continue their Cinderella run but they are now tied at the top with the Blackhawks.  The Cinderella tag may not be enough for the Wild to stave off all comers.  We think the Blackhawks are the obvious threat to the Wild for first place and we like the Panthers and give them an outside chance of reaching number one.

Both teams are similar in that they have a good veteran core complimented with solid young talent.  The steamroller in Chicago is chugging along led by the usual suspects including Toews, Sharp, Hossa, and Kane.  Toews is playing so well at both ends of the ice that he looks like the favorite for the MVP title in the NHL.  I am sure the Hawks Captain would gladly give that award up for another Stanley Cup ring.  He might yet get his chance.   Joel Quennville has got his boys flying because he knows how to relate to his players.  He has their respect because he took them to the last Cup win and he knows how to win.  It also helps that he was in the NHL for years and which helps him identify the hot points to motivate his team.

The Panthers are also led by an NHL vet in Kevin Dineen.  Just like the Hawks' coach; Dineen can relate to his players and he has the team clicking and threatening for number one. The Panthers made some good moves in the post season and they are paying off. Kris Versteeg is arguably their best acquisition.  Versteeg ,who played for the Hawks when they won the Cup, has a +/- of +17 and he has scored 17 goals.   We think Florida could surprise if Boston cools down and the Wild's Cinderella clock strike midnight.  The Flyers are without Giroux and Pronger now so they are a lame ducks.  Now is the time for Florida to turn it on and start chasing Chicago and the Wild.

Pominville pops Panthers in OT

Despite a solid night in net from former Albany River Rats netminder Scott Clemmensen, the Florida Panthers were edged by the Buffalo Sabres and Jason Pominville, 2-1 in overtime.  It was a tight, hard fought, down to the wire contest between both clubs.

Buffalo hopped on the board first, when late in the first Derek Roy was able to skate in and slip one past Clemmensen.  Roy’s seventh tally of the year, gave the Sabres a 1-0 edge. Yet Florida would respond with a marker of their own late in the second.  On the power-play, Jason Garrison from the circle, blasted his ninth of the season past Ryan Miller, knotting it up at 1-1.

After nothing was resolved in the third, the contest proceeded to OT. During the extra session, Paul Szczechura found a streaking Pominville up ice and the uncontested Pominville ripped one past Clemmensen for the winning tally.  Pominville’s tenth of the campaign helped the Sabres to an impressive win over the Southeast Division leading Panthers.

Additionally, Clemmensen stopped 18-of-20, while Miller turned away 22-of-23 between the pipes. With the victory Buffalo improves to 15-11-2 (32 points).  In defeat, Florida picks up a point and moves into a tie point-wise with the Philadelphia Flyers atop the Eastern Conference at 16-8-5 (37 points).

- Mike Gwizdala

Rangers unable to cage Panthers in 2-1 loss

The New York Rangers (10-5-3) just fell one goal short in a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers (12-6-3) in Wednesday night hockey action. The Blueshirts have now lost two games, but the team still sits in good position in the Eastern Conference.

Jason Garrison (8) tallied the first goal in the game for the Panthers, cashing in on a power play opportunity at the 10:06 mark of the first period of play. Kris Versteeg (12) netted a 21 foot wrister for the 2-0 Florida lead at the 1:09 mark of the second period.

Derek Stephan (4) recorded the first goal for the Rangers at the 4:18 mark, tallying a 45 foot snap shot, which was assisted by Marian Gaborik (7) and Ryan McDonagh (5). The Rangers finished the final two periods with a combined 12 shots, but could not find the equalizer.

 Blueshirts keeper Henrik Lundqvist earned the second-star of the game, making 36 saves in the cage. Newest New York blueliner Anton Stralman earned a plus-one rating, finishing with two hits in his first game.

The road trip for the Rangers continues on Friday, as the head to the Nation’s Capital for a Friday showdown against the Washington Capitals.  The game is scheduled to air on the MSG network, with face-off slated for 4:00 p.m.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

From sizzle to fizzle as Isles fall to Panthers: 4-2

Things started out well for the New York Islanders (3-3-0) in their game against the Florida Panthers (4-3-0) in hockey action on Saturday. The Isles had great energy, and immediately started to swarm the offensive zone.

The Isles could not maintain that energy, falling by a final of 4-2 to the hungrier Panthers’ squad. Florida dominated the puck possession, while also displaying great puck movement throughout the game.

In the beginning it had seemed as if it’d be the Isles game to win, as New York was immediately rewarded for their hustle. The Isles were able to bait the Panthers into taking a penalty. Captain Mark Streit cashed in quickly on the extra-man chance, on a wicked 59 foot slap shot, for the 1-0 lead.

Keeper Evgeni Nabokov (29 saves) stood on his head to keep the Islanders in the game, but it wasn’t enough to stop Kris Versteeg (4) from tying the game at the 14:39 mark of the first period.

The Panthers took the 2-1 lead in the second period, as Florida had great puck movement to find the back of the cage. Matt Bradley scored his first goal for the Panthers at the 13:39 mark, on a pretty backhanded shot.

It was in this frame, that the Islanders regained a burst of energy and speed, which eventually led to their second goal of the game. New York cashed in on their second power play opportunity when Streit set-up John Tavares (6) to even things up at 14:32.

New York had the momentum when the horn sounded to end the second period, as Nabakov made the save of the game at the 14:57 mark when Matt Bradley tried for a 38 foot snap shot. ‘Nabby’ was aggressive, playing up in the cage to stoning the scoring opportunity.

All of the momentum for the Isles was countered when rookie cager Jacob Markstrom entered the game for the Panthers in the third period. Florida then proceeded to put on a clinic of pretty puck movement, for the 3-2 lead.

Tim Kennedy scored his first goal of the season on a give-and-go play, tipped-in the pass from Shawn Matthias (2). Florida iced the game at the 19:39 mark, as surviving an Islanders 5-on-3 offensive chance in the winding moments of the third period.

New York will return home to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum for a Tuesday face-off against the Pittsburgh Penguins, with the game scheduled to air on the MSG Plus Network at 7:00 p.m. The Isles and Pens built up a bit of a rivalry last year, so the media hype is starting to build already for the much anticipated rematch.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

Isles Blanked by Panthers, 2-0 in Home Opener

The New York Islanders (0-1-0) had the perfect stage for their Home Opener against the Florida Panthers (1-0-0), as a sellout crowd was rocking the barn to greet the 2011-12 edition of the team. That energy was not transferred to the team, as the Isles were blanked 2-0 on Saturday night.

New York had plenty of opportunities, finishing up the night with 27 shots. One of the main issues that head coach Jack Capuano will have to address before Monday’s game, is finishing on those golden opportunities.

Michael Grabner and John Tavares both had sweet moves in the game, as Florida keeper Jose Theodore was up to the task of blanking the Isles. Theodore now has 31 career shutouts in the NHL, along with six all time shutdowns against New York.

Jose really wasn’t tested though, as the Panthers keeper had a good look at all of the shots that came his way. Making an impact in his Islanders debut was Brian Rolston, who had four shots in the game. Two of those shots for the winger were of the booming variety, but could not get past the steady glove of Theodore.

Two impressive performances on the Islanders blue line came from Andrew MacDonald and Mark Eaton who blocked seven and four shots respectively. Getting the well earned nod in the cage for New York was Al Montoya, who is gaining quite a fan base on the Island.

With chants of ‘Al Montoya’ echoing throughout Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the ‘Big Cubano’ was stellar making 27 saves in net.

The Isles will not have long to rest, as they have their next home game on Monday. New York is slated to face-off against the Minnesota Wild for a 1:00 p.m. puck drop, due to the Columbus Day festivities. The Monday matinee is scheduled to air on the MSG Plus network.

Stacy Podelski

http://www.smacksportvideos.com/

TOP 3 MODERN DAY RIVALRIES LOOKING TO GET HEATED THIS SEASON

 1) CHICAGO VS VANCOUVER

The Vancouver-Chicago rivalry is probably the most entertaining rivalry hockey has seen post-lockout. Forget about Capitals-Penguins. This isn’t just about two players, its about hatred given and received by both teams. Both teams are stacked with Superstars (Toews, Hossa, Kane for Chicago, and Daniel, Henrik and Luongo for Vancouver.) But the best part is that they’ve been meeting in the playoffs for seven game series every year. Both teams are basically stacked at every position, which makes it even more fun to watch. They’ve each been to the finals the past two years, so it’s going to be interesting to see how close series is, especially after Chicago focused on experience this summer instead of speed and skill

2) SAN JOSE VS DETROIT

Even though the Sharks have gotten so close, they have yet to get to the finals in team history. And it seems as though any trip in the playoffs means a meeting with the Wings.  This year looks to be no different, with one key addition to the Sharks blueline, and a key departure to that of the Wings. San Jose got Brent Burns this past summer, and also forward Martin Havlat. Detroit lost Brian Rafolski to retirement, which has not helped them, but they are looking at Ian White to take on a defensive responsibility, and help out the team as much as possible. This year, both teams should be stronger then last year, meaning I expect the Western Conference champs to be, or meet one of these two teams in the conference finals. It is a great rivalry that the players really get into, and especially after last years Sharks got so close to the finals, they will be thirsty to drink from the cup.

3) PANTHERS VS LIGHTNING

The past few years have been very good for the Florida rivalry, with Stamkos vs Vokoun. But this year will be much more entertaining, with Florida filling up their roster with players like Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky, and Tomas Fleishmann. The Lightning are still going to be in the playoff hunt, with Stamkos, St. Louis and Lecavalier staying put. This rivalry has always had tons of goals, with both teams being based around the forwards, and goaltending being mediocre. The series should be much closer then it has in the past, with Florida evening out their roster over the summer.

Article by Noah Goren.

Brown Should Wear Number 2, Because He Is the Sh**

Here is Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown doing his civic duty by taking out the trash in the form of Florida Panthers defenseman Dennis Wideman. Of course, he promptly disposes it on his team's bench, but that's beside the point. It's true. If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything and, in this case, apparently become a garbageman (sorry, sanitation engineer) or, if you want to get technical, hurt people for a living. Of course, hurt people legally. See the things he can do when he's actually doling out clean hits and not blindsiding people like he did the Minnesota Wild's Antti Miettinen a few months back?