Cat's Season Comes Down To the Wire

With only six games remaining in the NHL season it is crunch time for many for the teams who have aspirations of making the post season. One of these teams that is on the cusp of playoff contention is my beloved Florida Panthers. If the season were to end today the Panthers would be the best team in the Eastern Conference not to make the playoffs. Currently they trail the Montrael Canadians by one point and the New York Rangers by 2 points. Because in hockey two points are given for every victory the Cats (Panthers) are fierce contenders and will be in the playoff race down to the wire. The following are some of my keys to success if the Panthers want to make the playoffs.

First off, the Cats must take care of business at home. Four of the remaining six games will be played down here in South Florida at the BAnk Atlantic Center. Of these games two of them are against below .500 teams that have nothing to play for but pride. The Panthers cannot not view these games as blowoff games and must win them both. The other two home games are against the Penguins and the Capitals, two of teh NHL's best teams. The Cats objective should be to win both but realistically a win in one of these games would be a success.

Another key to making the playoffs for the Panthers is to stay in everygame. Some of these games are against very talented teams and if we are not careful these games can get ugly very fast. The Panther's objective should be to be down by no fewer than one goal entering the third period.

Another key to making the playoffs is getting production from every player. Every man on the team should give it 100% everytime they touch the ice. This being said players should not try to do too much. If the hitters hit and the playmakers make plays the Cats will have a really good chance of leap frogging some of the teams in front of them. Also part of getting production from every player is getting quality play from the goaltenders. While I prefer to start back-up Craig Anderson for the remaining of the season, both he or Tomas Vokoun must be ready to step up to the plate.

Last, In order to make the playoffs the Cats are going to need leadership. Whether this comes from head coach Pete Debore or from players who have been to the playoffs before someone needs to take control of the locker room. The Florida Panthers are a young team and need all the veteren leadership the can get in order to make the playoffs for the first time in eight years.