The Sports Xchange
Panthers can make playoffs with win Tuesday
Florida Panthers coach Kevin Dineen has acted as if he hasn’t been scoreboard watching,
although it’s obvious he has in the past few weeks. On Sunday, however, Dineen seemed
genuinely surprised to learn that, despite his team’s 2-1 shootout loss in Detroit, a win
Tuesday would clinch a playoff spot.
Florida plays host to Winnipeg on Tuesday and a victory would get the Panthers their
first spot in the postseason since the 1999-2000 season. The Panthers’ drought to 10
seasons and 11 years between playoff appearances is an NHL record.
“Honestly, and this is the truth, I did not know that,” Dineen said regarding what
Tuesday’s game meant. “I look at us as having a big game on Tuesday and a bigger game on
Thursday. But we won’t look past Tuesday.”
Nor should he. The Panthers have lost two of five to the Jets this season and can’t
afford to give away any more points — no matter how close a playoff spot would be. The
Panthers visit Washington on Thursday and don’t own a tiebreaker against the Capitals.
Florida currently holds a three-point lead on the Capitals atop the Southeast Division
with Washington visiting the Lightning on Monday.
“That’s the goal,” Dineen said of winning the division. “We’ve had that spot for a long
time, the majority of the season. It’s not going to be given to us. Nothing has been given
to us this season. And that’s part of the fun of it. We’ve been playing to be a big part
of the conversation down the stretch. We’re right in the thick of it right now.”
Florida leads the league in overtime/shootout losses with 17. The Panthers have picked
up at least a point in 11 of their past 13 games (6-2-5).
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