Who what have thought just three weeks ago coming off a twelve game losing streak that the Florida Panthers would be just Five points out of the eight and final playoff spot in the east. The trade rumors were making their rounds threw the media and the likes of Loungo and Captain Ollie Jokinen where rumored out of Florida . Since then Jokinen has not only been the hotest Panther but the hotest player in the league with 16 points ,9 goals in 6 games. Loungo has returned to his old form and was named defensive player of the week last week.
The habs have been in a phunk as of late losing 9 out of there 10 road games, and come into the BankAtlantic Center for a show down that has produced Two great games In Montreal.
Last time they met the cats came from 2 goals down in the third to tie the game late and lose on a mistake by the referee's, Hey if i dont stand up for the Cats who will, not the NHL as proven last saturday in Carolina. (Commador spears Jokinen after the game.)
The Panthers Brought it Early to the Habs and keeped that pressure on all night long. Just Five minuets into the game two former Leaf hook up when Gary Roberts feeds Joe Niewendyk cross ice that left goaltender Jose Theodore Frozen. The habs would come back later in the first when Mike Ribeiro caught young Defenceman Serge Payer out of position and fed Nick SundStrom for an easy put in.
The Panthers Would come back in the third when Joe Niewendyk picks off a nasty rebound and wrist home his second goal of the night.
The Habs would have their chance as Kovalev was brought down on the breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot on another "fishy" call.The replay showed Kovalev didnt get the shot off not because of the defender but because it rolled of his stick but either way Kovalev was Stoned by Loungo and the panther went on to extend the home Point streak to six.
The Cats now head up the east coast for their most important road trip . They will play Buffalo, NewJersey,Islanders, Rangers and Caps. Its not going to be easy and having one of the worst road records in the league isn't going to cut it for a team trying to make the playoffs. Get hot win three out of five and things look good. Lose four and you have dug yourself a huge hole heading into mid January.