Its the final game of the Panthers five game road trip. It is also the last time the Panthers will play a Western Conference team in the regular season. Its all 7 and 7:30 starts from here on out. I think we can all agree that is a nice thing.
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G65 /] [table id=IS02G65 /] [table id=GM02G65 /]* – Stats are courtesy of Corsica.Hockey, War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G65 /] [table id=PD02G63 /] [table id=PG02G34 /] [table id=OF02G65 /] [table id=OD02G65 /] [table id=OG02G65 /]The Hat Trick
Full Strength!: The Panthers had problems getting a full roster on the ice Thursday night in Colorado. Teddy Purcell and Jiri Hudler were still having issues with their visas. Though Purcell eventually ended up in Colorado, neither he nor Hudler were able to dress for the Panthers. The ensuing madness resulted in Steven Kampfer: 4th line center. It is frustrating to see the Cats fall in such a close game, especially when it meant losing first place in the Atlantic to cross-state rival Tampa Bay. It makes you wonder what that game would have looked like with a full roster. Alas, what’s done is done, and it is time to move on. Visa issues are now clear for both Purcell and Hudler, so we will no longer see this in particular be a problem again this season.
Howe Do You Do?: At 9:42 of the first period Thursday night, Erik Gudbranson rifled a shot by Calvin Pickard. The Panthers power play had just ended, and Gudbranson had gotten lost behind the PK unit, leaving him wide open. He perfectly placed the shot after a perfectly placed pass from Aleksander Barkov. The goal helped both assisting players reach a milestone. Most notably was Jaromir Jagr. That goal gave him the 1,850th point of his career, tying Gordie Howe for 3rd all-time in career points. This has been the next big milestone we have been waiting for since Jagr passed Brett Hull in career goals scored. I cannot say enough just how special it is to watch this night in and night out. Now, we wait for the other shoe to drop as Jagr is now poised to pass Howe.
Lost in the excitement was that another milestone was reached on that same goal, and that was Aleksander Barkov’s 100th career point. We have known about his awesomeness for some time, but this has truly been a breakout season for the young Finn. The assist was his 40th point of the season, a career high. In fact, he met and surpassed his career high in points against the Coyotes on February 25. He did so in 27 fewer games over his previous career high of 36 points in 71 games last season.
Its a great story of two great players: one rising to unimaginable heights, the other just getting started.
The Desert: Tonight is the final game of the 2015-16 Shuffleboard Series between Arizona and Florida. The Coyotes will do it without Mikkel Boedker, who was traded at the deadline to the Panthers previous opponent, the Colorado Avalanche (grumble grumble gave up his first Avs goal grumble grumble). The Coyotes made a valiant push this season, challenging for a playoff spot at times earlier in the season. However, they could not keep up once the Anaheim Ducks woke up, and the California teams pulled away. Now they sit at 60 points, 10 back of the Minnesota Wild for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, and 16 points back of the 3rd place San Jose Sharks. Now it is a race to the bottom.
The Coyotes currently sit 6th in the draft rankings, pre-lottery. The prize, by the way, is not just any other player. Auston Matthews is the consensus #1 pick for this year’s draft. Though Connor McDavid he is not, he is still very good, exceptional even. However, Matthews symbolizes more than just a great talent, he is also validation of the team’s presence in the Arizona desert. You see, Matthews is from Scottsdale, Arizona and grew up a Coyotes fan. Now, he’s the best prospect available in the 2016 Draft. Does that happen if the Coyotes aren’t in Phoenix? I don’t think so. The game is growing, and that’s a great thing.
Closing Thoughts
Destert Dogs vs. Tropical Cats. This should be a comic book.
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