Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

Isles visit Panthers for battle between playoff hopefuls

Wed 12th, March 2008

(Sports Network) - Two teams on the edge of the playoff picture will clash tonight, as the Florida Panthers play host to the New York Islanders at BankAtlantic Center.

Both clubs enter tonight's test with 11 games left on their schedules. Florida is currently tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference with 72 points, while the Islanders are 13th with 71. Philadelphia holds the East's eighth and final postseason spot with 79 points.

While the Islanders are 15 points off the pace in the Atlantic Division, the Panthers still have a mathematical shot in the Southeast standings. Florida is tied for second in the division with Washington, seven points back of first- place Carolina, which plays Chicago tonight.

Florida is trying to make the postseason for the first time since the 1999-2000 season and for just the fourth time in club history.

The Panthers are doing their best down the stretch, as they won their season- high tying fourth straight game on Saturday. Nathan Horton posted his second overtime game-winning goal in three games, lighting the lamp with 23 ticks left in the extra frame to give Florida a 3-2 win over Atlanta on Saturday.

Horton scored 22 seconds into overtime in a 1-0 win versus Boston last Tuesday and now has three goals and two assists over a five-game point streak.

Brett McLean scored twice for the Panthers, who also won four in a row from November 19-28. Florida hasn't reeled of five straight victories since a seven-game run from March 17-29, 2006.

Jay Bouwmeester, Olli Jokinen and Rostislav Olesz each collected two assists, while Tomas Vokoun finished with 25 saves for his 26th win of the season. Jokinen's two assists gave him 230 helpers with Florida, passing Robert Svehla for most in team history.

Florida has won the first two tests of its current seven-game homestand, its longest residency of the season. The Panthers are 14-13-7 at home this year.

Florida will be trying to sweep the Islanders in a season series for the first time since its inaugural 1993-94 season. The Panthers have shut out the Islanders twice in three games this year, with backup netminder Craig Anderson making 53 saves in a 1-0 win on March 2.

Horton leads all Panthers in scoring against the Islanders this year with three goals and a pair of assists. Florida has won four in a row over New York and seven of the last 12 in the series. That includes wins in two straight and four of the last six as the host.

The Islanders have managed just three goals against the Panthers this year, with Mike Sillinger, Mike Comrie and Bill Guerin all lighting the lamp.

While Florida is rolling, the Islanders continue to play themselves out of postseason contention. Taking on the team with the fewest points in the East last night, New York was pounded by the Tampa Bay Lightning, 8-4.

Guerin finished with a goal and an assist for New York, which has dropped five of its last six games, including its last three tests. Rick DiPietro allowed all eight goals, a career high, on 44 shots.

Ruslan Fedotenko scored before leaving the game in the third with a sprained left knee. He is doubtful for tonight. Ben Walter scored his first career NHL goal, while Comrie also scored for his team-high 21st goal of the season.

The Islanders have lost the first two tests of their current four-game road trip that wraps in Montreal on Saturday. New York is 15-16-4 on the road this year.

Where the players come to play and STAY.

Sports Information you need to win BIG.

Sports Contests – Think you know the game?

Poker Promotion

Find NC State basketball tickets at TickCo and watch the college basketball season wrap up with Final Four tickets!

Contact Us | Help | Site Map| Sport Links

Sportsbook Directory | Casinos Directory | Poker Room Directory | Racebook Directory | Partners Directory