FRIDAY'S EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND
(3) FLORIDA PANTHERS V (6) NEW JERSEY DEVILS
The season series: Split the four games; Florida got the extra point.
Last year: Both teams missed the playoffs; Florida is back for the first time since 2000.
Playoff history: Devils swept Florida in 2000.
Friday: Devils at Panthers, 7 p.m.; BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise (WQAM-560; FS Florida, NHL Net)
What to watch:
Believe it or not, but the Panthers have plenty of playoff experience although this is a new experience for a good many.
Going against former coach Pete DeBoer is fun, but shutting down the Devils' top two lines won't be.
The Panthers are gritty and the pressure is on the Devils to make some postseason noise for the first time in years.
Who is in net for the Panthers? It looks like Jose Theodore makes his return after a tough couple of outings. Will the extra days off do him some good. The thought here is yes.
Florida's power play has been good at times this season. Florida's entire special teams need to be extremely strong for the Panthers to win this series?
Will they? It'll be close.
The prediction: Devils in 7.
Alyssa Milano - nice touch, GR. Looking forward to tomorrow night! Go Cats!
Posted by: Big Slap Shot Bob | April 12, 2012 at 06:29 PM
Who wrote this? Devils in 7? I hope GR didn't write this or he's writing for the wrong team.
Posted by: Dave | April 12, 2012 at 06:46 PM
Obviously, I want the Panthers to win. Devils in 6 or 7 wouldn't surprise me. GR is just keeping it real.
Posted by: AntiLuis | April 12, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Clemmenson deserves to start in goal tonight.
Posted by: Mad Max | April 13, 2012 at 09:00 AM
Devils have the scorers but their defense is weak. Panthers need to put pressure on the defense and get in Brodeur's face. Keep making their defense skate and shoot the puck on net and get a man in front of Brodeur and Panthers will be fine.
Posted by: Puckbubba | April 13, 2012 at 09:14 AM
Let's be realistic please: Panthers in 4!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Posted by: Downtowner | April 13, 2012 at 09:43 AM
Panthers will get blown on because they continue to think Theodore is the way to go in goal. He was great this year, I give you that, but he is FAR from good right now, Clemmenson has been miles better.
Posted by: Why Theo? | April 13, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Secret to solving Brodeur, keep him moving left to right because of those old legs. Wear him down, slow him down. Panthers D is already better than NJ's. Keep Ilya silenced, Cats win: Panthers in 6.
Posted by: Paul Orndorff | April 13, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Panthers sweep them in 4.
Posted by: DV | April 13, 2012 at 01:40 PM
DV, shows how stupid you are. Panthers suck,
Devils in 5.
Posted by: 26-9 outshot 3-0 all they needed. | April 13, 2012 at 09:34 PM