Jets @ Panthers | Tue Apr 3 | 630PM | Bank Atlantic | G80 | "Thanks for all the Fish"
Last 10: Florida 4-2-4; Winnipeg 4-5-1
Season series: This is the sixth and final game between these Southeast Division clubs. The Panthers
already claimed the season series in terms of points with a 3-1-1 record thus far.
Big Story: Florida can win the first division championship in franchise history with a victory
over Winnipeg.
Team Scope:
Jets: While the Jets were welcomed with open arms during their inaugural season in Winnipeg, they
couldn't give their dedicated fans a chance to root for them in the playoffs. But Winnipeg still has
a golden opportunity to affect the Eastern Conference playoff landscape as its opponent Tuesday
remains in a tight race with the Capitals for the division crown.
Besides trying to spoil the Panthers' hopes to win the Southeast, the Jets will also look to bounce
back from a tough 3-2 overtime loss to the rival Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday which officially
bounced the club from playoff contention. Antti Miettinen and Kyle Wellwood both scored for
Winnipeg, but Tampa Bay's Ryan Malone tied it midway through the third period and NHL leading scorer
Steven Stamkos sent the Jets packing with his League-record fifth overtime goal of the season.
"There's too much emotion in this game," coach Claude Noel said after the devastating loss. "I can't
even think past this game and the disappointment of it."
Panthers: With just a 1-2-4 record over its last seven games, Florida is not exactly barreling into
the postseason. But all the Panthers need is two points over their final three games to at least
stave off the East's ninth-place Buffalo Sabres for their first playoff berth since the 1999-00
season. And although the Cats couldn't uphold their 1-0 third-period lead over the Red Wings Sunday,
they did earn an all-important point in the shootout loss.
"Nothing's been given to us this year, and that's the fun part of it," coach Kevin Dineen said after
the loss. "This is what we've been playing for -- to be a big part of the conversation as we move
down the stretch."
Who's Hot: Jets forward Spencer Machacek has 8 points (2g, 6a) over his last eight games.
Panthers winger Tomas Fleischmann has 7 points (4g, 3a) over his last seven games.
Injury Report: Forward Eric Fehr (upper body) and defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (lower body) are
day-to-day for the Jets.
Jack Skille (shoulder) and Matt Bradley (concussion) remain sidelined for the Panthers.
Stat Pack: The Panthers' success this season can be attributed to the consistent goaltending of Jose
Theodore and Scott Clemmensen, since scoring has been tough to come by. As of Monday, Florida was
14th in the East with an average of 2.37 goals per game, but maintained a respectable fourth place
standing in the conference with a 2.61 goals-against average.
Puck Drop: The Jets had a solid first season in Winnipeg, but now must play out the final three
games without any chance at making the playoffs. However, this fact has done little to curb the
enthusiasm of the up-and-coming club.
"We're not going to stop fighting," right wing Chris Thorburn said after Saturday's game. "We're
going to finish out the season on a high note."
With us being out of the playoffs, it is hard to get reved up for a game. I find myself drawn more to long term developmental topics for the team, then what happens tonight.
With us being out of the playoffs, it is hard to get reved up for a game. I find myself drawn more to long term developmental topics for the team, then what happens tonight.
At this stage I just want to see the Jets come out and play hard for the next three games. With Glass and Wellwood out with broken feet, I wonder if Buff should get shutdown soon as well.
That being said, the next three games will be great for guys like Cormier and Machacek. It's too bad that the Ice Caps have their injury problems as it would be great to see Klingberg, Kulda, and Postma get a few games in as well. Regarding Machacek and Cormier, I really hope those guys get some decent minutes going forward. Not much point in only giveing them 5-6 minutes. Heck, put Machacek on with Burmi and Kane and see how he looks! Let Cormier centre a line with Antro and Mittens / Stapler and give them ice time.
I also won't be too hard on the team if they put in a decent effort and lose. Florida might be looking at this game as the game to win to solidify their playoffs. Plus, Florida is looking to go into the playoffs on a good note, so they will be pumped. It's tough to expect the Jets to get themselves in the same mental space.
I won't be heart broken to see the Panthers clinch the division tonight but EARN it.
This: if it's a great, hard fought victory by the Panthers, the Jets give it their all, and it's an entertaining game, I'm OK with Florida clinching tonight by getting 2pts.
I'd much rather see the Panthers take the SE division title over the Caps.
I won't be heart broken to see the Panthers clinch the division tonight but EARN it.
I agree with liking to see the Panthers win the division, them (and Carolina to an extent) are the only SE teams I haven't developed a dislike for over the season
I wouldn't mind if the Jets lose out and improve their draft position but ONLY if it happens through hard fought losses with increased playing time for the young guys. They should be treating this as a tryout for next year, giving guys like Cormier, Machacek and even Stapleton (not young but far from a lock on any roster) increased ice-time to see how they handle it.
Just saw that Cormier is expected to play RW beside Antropov. That's interesting considering how good Cormier is on faceoffs.
What is with this talk of letting them have this one? I'd rather watch a Jets win than another loss - one that may or may not allow them to move up a spot in the draft. Let the chips fall where they fall. Just win, and preferably f# up the opposition in the process. Balls out hockey, please, nothing less.
What is with this talk of letting them have this one? I'd rather watch a Jets win than another loss - one that may or may not allow them to move up a spot in the draft. Let the chips fall where they fall. Just win, and preferably f# up the opposition in the process. Balls out hockey, please, nothing less.
GO JETS GO!!!
Don't want to win any other way. Rather lose than be handed a victory, an intense game like we know your team will give us will prepare them better for the playoffs anyway.
Florida gave Detroit everything they could handle a few nights ago....they are in full playoff mode and the Jets are coming off a OT loss to TBay....i think FLA takes this one
And I'm on east coast time. 
