Yardbarker: Florida Panthers

Sizing up the 2010 Hall of Fame induction class

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:03:57 -0500

Now that the Class of '09 is in the Hall, will Joe Nieuwendyk lead the Class of '10? The Hockey News looks at next year's candidates.

Hosting A Thanksgiving Feast

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:55:00 -0500

By Dave Joseph for floridapanthers.com There are times, Tomas Vokoun said, when you have to think about more than goals and statistics. One of those times will come Tuesday evening when the Panthers and their new Pillar Partner JetBlue...

Chatting with Alex Ovechkin about his 'weeks' of injury rehab

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:15:33 -0500

Injured Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin(notes) was watching Saturday's game against the Florida Panthers with Mike Green(notes) (also injured) in one of the rooms of the Verizon Center the press box. He later met with some young fans outside of the locker room to sign some autographs. That's when I got the chance to ask him a few questions about his "upper body injury" and his journey back from it. Keep in mind Ovechkin didn't indicate if the following "diagn...

Caps sweep Panthers in home-and-home series

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:51:09 -0500

Tomas Fleischmann scored twice during a five-goal third period, and the short-handed Washington Capitals beat the Florida Panthers 7-4 Saturday night for a sweep of their home-and-home series.

Short-handed Caps hit Panthers for seven goals

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:43:00 -0500

Tomas Fleischmann scored twice during a five-goal third period, and the short-handed Washington Capitals beat the Florida Panthers 7-4 Saturday night for a sweep of their home-and-home series.

Ovechkin and Green in the Press Box (Photo)

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:05:10 -0500

Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green are watching tonight’s game from the Press Box, instead of the Ice. Both players were held out of the contest against the Florida Panthers due to “Upper Body” injuries. We purposely made sure we didn’t include the dynamic duo’s upper bodies, as not to expose them to possible attention from [...]

Caps @ Panthers 11-6-2009 Wrap Up/ Caps vs. Panthers 11-7-2009 Preview

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:22:00 -0500

The Local Yokels:(Com)Post. Times. Caps.com.The Neutral Observers:NHL.com. AP Wire.The Other Side:Miami Herald: blown chances, injury return. Panthers.com.Final Thoughts:So much for enjoying a nice sunny Saturday outside before the game tonight because of the injuries and a probable suspension (even if Shaone Morrrissonnn wasn't on super duper double secret probation, we all know he'll be suspended for that it anyway) we'll be refreshing Tarik's Blog al...

Big O-less Caps bust Panthers, end 3-game slide

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:16:12 -0500

SUNRISE, Fla.(AP) Washington came into its game against the Florida Panthers without its star player and left with even more injuries. In between, the beat-up Capitals found a way to finally come away with a win.

Vokoun gets second straight shutout for Panthers

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:58:05 -0500

SUNRISE, Fla.(AP) Tomas Vokoun made 31 saves for his second straight shutout, Steven Reinprecht opened the scoring early in the third period, and Florida extended Carolina's winless streak to 10 games with a 3-0 victory Wednesday night.

Canes lose to Panthers, winless streak hits 10

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:25:54 -0500

Tomas Vokoun made 31 saves for his second straight shutout, Steve Reinprecht opened the scoring early in the third period and the Panthers extended the Hurricanes' winless streak to 10 games with a 3-0 victory.

Hurricanes blanked by Panthers, lose 10th straight

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:09:00 -0500

Tomas Vokoun made 31 saves for his second straight shutout, Steven Reinprecht opened the scoring early in the third period, and Florida extended Carolina's winless streak to 10 games with a 3-0 victory Wednesday.

Hurricanes lose 10th straight game

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:09:00 -0500

Panthers 3, Canes 0

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:08:51 -0500

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Steven Reinprecht gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 5:09 of the third, tipping in a Cory Stillman shot. Stillman then added a power-play goal with 6:16 to play, and with Tomas Vokoun strong in net, Florida had all it needed. The Panthers, gaining more energy and the game progressed, had several chances to add to the lead through the middle minutes of the third. Michael Frolik missed an open net. Gregory Campbell had a good look in front, and Kenndal McArdle. A penalty on the...

Dan Collins: What happened to Wake Forest's offense?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:13:34 -0500

In his blog on Tuesday, Dan Collins asked the question, "Where did Wake's offense go?" This is something I've been wondering myself, and I'm sure just about every Demon Deacon fan has too. I think it's a combination of factors, so I'll do my best to delve into them after the jump...

It's not the normal excuses like: "well the offense isn't that good," or "everyone's hurt," or "we have a new quarterback," or "we're young." And that's the biggest problem. This offense is good. People are healthy. Our quarterback is in his fifth year. And we're not young.

So what is the problem?

First and foremost, it is what has plagued this offense at times all year. They think they have to do it all. This team tries to do too much on every drive instead of focusing on each first down. A running back will try to cut rather than hit the hole hard, a WR in orbit will want to get to the outside and will end up losing yards, Skinner will have happy feet because he wants to make the big play, a lineman will hold hoping to give the RB a lot of running room.

The defense has been inconsistent and is still extremely young. I get that. And the fact that they've given up games of 24, 27, 24, 32 and 38 points really doesn't help. So I understand where the offense is coming from. But Bob Knight once said that the game could be broken up into five minute intervals (or TV timeouts). If the team focused on winning the five minutes and they won enough, they'd win the game. Now he was talking about basketball, but the same can be said for the Deacs. Win each drive.

Mental mistakes are also causing a lot of problems. I haven't seen a team this undisciplined in a long time. The Deacs have been penalized for 425 yards this year and have 10 fumbles/9 INT. For a team that revolved around a high +/- Turnover Ratio, these numbers are staggering. In what was predicted to be a down year, with a team that plays a lot of close games, penalties, turnovers and mental errors are not only drive killers, but game killers (ex: Pendergrass running the wrong way against BC in OT).

Finally, it is no secret that Wake Forest's playcalling has been suspect all year. One game, Wake wants to throw it 50 times a game, the next they'll rush it 50 times. Coach Lobo loves to do this. I've never understood it. Skinner has a lot of success throwing short patterns--slants, outs, wheel routes, bubble screens--so naturally, against Navy, Wake runs the ball every play until the weather gets bad and the team gets in a hole. It doesn't make sense.

This is a team that's strength is in throwing the football. Skinner may get jumpy sometimes and the line has allowed 20 sacks, but still, the Deacs have had way more success through the air. I know establishing the run and time of possession are important to this team, but let's face it, this is a different team that the last few years. There are a new set of strengths and weaknesses.

So, where to go from here? Well, last year against Miami, Wake ran the ball 52 times. 52! If they come even close to that number this year, I guarantee you they will lose by at least two scores.

If the Deacs hope to come out of the rest of the year with better than a .500 record, they need to minimize mistakes and focus on the passing game. Wake needs to force the defense to recognize the pass which will allow effective draw plays and orbit sweeps in motion. The Demon Deacons absolutely have to rely on short routes and if DBs press, then Skinner can gamble on the deep route with his speedy receivers (Y'lou and Givens).

This team has time to right the ship, but they need to decide exactly what they want their identity to be.

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Panthers LW Booth released from hospital

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:25:22 -0500

Florida Panthers left wing David Booth has been released from a Philadelphia hospital after suffering a concussion during a game. Florida Panthers General Manager Randy Sexton made the announcement Sunday. Booth suffered the concussion in the second period of Saturday's game between Florida and Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center. Booth returns to South Florida, where his condition will be monitored by Florida team medical personnel.

Richards escapes NHL punishment for Booth hit

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:39:58 -0500

Frank Seravalli of the Philadelphia Daily News broke the news on his Twitter this morning that NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly had informed him that Mike Richards(notes) would not face any discipline for his hit on David Booth(notes) of the Florida Panthers last night.(Before any outrage about the decision is directed towards NHL Executive VP for Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, it should be noted that because his son Gregory was involved in the game as a member of the Panthers, he recused...

Now That’s A Hit

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:41:51 -0500

Schnikies! Florida Panthers left wing David Booth was taken from the ice on a stretcher a crushing hit from Philadelphia captain Mike Richards: var flashvars = { logo: 'http://joshqpublic.com/wp-content/plugins/proplayer/players/watermark.png', mute: 'false', file: 'http://joshqpublic.com/wp-content/plugins/proplayer/playlist-controller.php?pp_playlist_id=10384-0&sid=1256439701', enablejs: 'true...

Panthers' Booth taken off ice on stretcher

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:13:36 -0500

Florida Panthers left wing David Booth was taken from the ice on a stretcher Saturday night after a hard hit from Philadelphia captain Mike Richards. With 2:55 left in the second period, Booth had just released the puck in front of the Flyers' blue line, and Richards delivered a late hit with his shoulder. Both of feet appeared to leave the ice as he struck Booth. Booth immediately fell face-down and remained motionless for several minutes.