(Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers have earned their first trip to the
playoffs in 12 years, but they'll still have the Southeast Division title to
play for when they host the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at BankAtlantic
Center.
The Panthers have backed into their first postseason berth since the spring of
2000, losing five straight and eight of their last nine games. Despite losing
a regulation test in Washington on Thursday, Florida still clinched a
postseason berth that night thanks to Buffalo's loss in Philadelphia.
All the Panthers need to do to ensure their first-ever division title is earn
a point in today's regular-season finale. Florida could also win the Southeast
even if it loses in regulation tonight, provided the Capitals, who are two
points behind the Panthers, lose tonight against the New York Rangers. If the
teams wind up tied after today's action, Washington will take the division
title and the third seed in the East due to more non-shootout wins.
Florida had at least gained a point in two straight losses before getting
dealt Thursday's 4-2 loss by the Capitals. Mikael Samuelsson and Ed Jovanovski
scored for the Panthers, while Jose Theodore stopped 19-of-23 shots in defeat.
"This team is full of character and we're proud to have brought the Panthers
organization back to the playoffs," said Florida general manager Dale Tallon.
"Despite some of the adversity that we faced this year, the coaching staff and
players on this team showed their determination to win and accomplish one of
our main objectives - qualifying for postseason play."
Florida is 20-9-11 as the host this season and it will open the playoffs at
home next week if it can win the Southeast title.
The Hurricanes will not partake in the postseason tournament, but Carolina is
coming off consecutive victories and would like to spoil Florida's division
title hopes tonight.
Carolina posted a win against visiting Montreal in its last game on Thursday,
as Eric Staal scored the game-winning goal in the third round of the shootout
to lift the Hurricanes to the 2-1 decision at PNC Arena.
Staal went in on goal with speed, making a quick deke and lifting the puck
past the stick side of Habs goalie Peter Budaj to seal the victory. Cam Ward,
who earned his 30th win of the season, stopped Lars Eller and David Desharnais
in the shootout while former Hurricane Erik Cole shot off the post.
Chad LaRose scored in regulation for the Hurricanes, while Ward posted 30
stops.
"It was a really good effort from everyone tonight," Hurricanes head coach
Kirk Muller said. "It was great to see [Staal] be the final shooter and to
score the final goal."
Thursday's victory gave Carolina a 20-14-7 record at home this year, but the
club is just 13-18-9 as the guest.
Florida won the first four meetings of the season with the Hurricanes before
Carolina posted a 3-1 home win on March 21. The Panthers have won two straight
and six of their last eight home tests against the 'Canes.
The Sports Network