Panther Parkway Post-Game: Panthers vs. Stars

Stars of the game

1st: Sean Bergenheim (1G-0A-1P- GW Goal)

2nd: Brandon Pirri (1G-1A-2P)

3rd: Tyler Seguin (1G-1A-2P)

Goals (Panthers 3, Stars 2)

DAL: Jamie Benn (33)  Assists: Tyler Seguin, Trevor Daley

DAL: Tyler Seguin  (36) (Power Play) Assists: Alex Goligoski, Trevor Daley

FLA: Scottie Upshall (15) Assists: Erik Gudbranson, Brandon Pirri

FLA: Brandon Pirri (12) Assists: Jimmy Hayes, Bobby Butler

FLA: Sean Bergenheim (16) Assists: Colby Robak, Scott Gomez

Game Day Preview: Stars vs. Panthers. There Was No Place For Sorrow.

DALLAS STARS: 38-28-11 (87 PTS) vs. FLORIDA PANTHERS: 27-43-8 (62 PTS.)

TSN GAMEDAY

GAME DAY SONG:  Loose Ends, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

The Florida Panthers will host their second consecutive Western conference opponent this evening when Tim Thomas and the Dallas Stars visit the BB & T Center for the final matchup of the season between these two teams.  The first meeting was back on opening night in October when the Panthers ousted the Stars 4-2, with newly signed free agent Scott Gomez netting his first goal of the season. Since then Gomez has only scored one other time, but has been receiving praise of late from head coach Peter Horachek for his leadership on the ice.  Something this battered and bruised young team is in desperate need of.

There’ve been a number of changes since game one of the season for the Panthers.  They have a totally different look on the ice and behind the bench since that optimistic night in October.  Peter Horachek has replaced Kevin Dineen as the head coach, with assistants Brian Skrudland and John Maddenreplacing Gord Murphy and Craig Ramsey.  On the ice, Tim Thomas was sent to Dallas ironically, and Roberto Luongo is now the number one goalie with Dan Ellis as his back up.  Ellis came form the Stars in the Thomas trade, and both he and Bobby Lu have quickly found out that there’s a problem with defence here.  It’s expected that will be addressed in the off season.

Eastern Conference Final Preview: Penguins’ Skill vs. Bruins’ Brawn.

Once the post season began, many thought that this would be the conference final that we’d see, and for those of you that like black and gold, or yellow, you’ll be seeing quite a bit of that as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Boston Bruins in game one tonight.  Both teams were looking to improve themselves at the trade deadline as each team was romancing Jarome Iginla, who ultimately chose the Pittsburgh Penguins, as did Brenden Morrow for their destination.

The season series featured three games all won by the Penguins, and all three games being decided by one goal.  Ex-Panther Tomas Vokoun was in net for two of the three games, and will start the opener as coach Dan Bylsma continues to stay with the hot hand after Marc-Andre Fleury proved he couldn’t stop a beach ball.  Not a bad option for Pittsburgh, and should Vokoun falter himself, going back to Fleury will be something Bylsma won’t hesitate to do if he feels it to be the right decision.  The Bruins on the other hand were on the brink of extinction at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round, but somehow found a way to score three goals in the final 10 minutes to tie the score, and then won in overtime to take the series.  Each team was able to dispose of their second round opponent without too much difficulty and are primed to go the distance in their quest for a Stanley Cup final appearance.

Let’s get to it shall we after the page break: