More photos » by Kathy Kmonicek - AP

about 3 hours ago: Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton (16),hits the puck past New York Islanders' goalie Dwayne Roloson for his second goal of the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

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Huge night on the scoresheet for Nathan Horton (3g, 1a) as the Cats roll at Nassau Coliseum. Eleven Panthers gained at least a point, while Tomas Vokoun stopped 30 shots to gain the win.

More to come in a bit, but enjoy the highlights; been a long time coming...

 

12-14-7 (31 Points)                                                                   12-13-7 (31 Points)

WELCOME TO THIS EVENING'S OPEN THREAD

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by Gene J. Puskar - AP

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There's the kicker above from Saturday's OT loss; not much of an argument to be made against it, unfortunately. 

Cats are on The Island tonight. Better showing out of John Tavares this time around? How about Vokoun or Clemmensen? Nick Tarnasky's finally back on the ice. Would this season be considered "successful" if at the end they have proceeded at a point-per-game pace (which is precisely where the Cats are)?

Open Thread goes live at 6pm.

More photos » by J Pat Carter - AP

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A quick peek at the NHL Stats Page is all a Cats fan requires to sink into a further funk, even on the heels of a well-executed game in Pittsburgh Saturday night. Of course, the result was all too familiar...

Individually, some Panthers are finally producing what's been expected of them for some time: as has been widely reported, forwards Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton - whipping boys of the highest order in Sunrise - have 20 and 19 points in the same number of games played, respectively. Who among the faithful are anything less than giddy over what these two have done to reverse their sagging fortunes? There are a lot of beaming Fantasy Hockey owners who gambled in their drafts...and won big.

Beyond those two, the year has been an offensive washout: Michael Frolik's two goals on Friday (his first since November 30th) give him nine on the season. Much-heralded "second-line center" (the organization's words) Steven Reinprecht has scored once in twelve games. Radek Dvorak (who has indeed wratcheted up the intensity this season) hasn't seen the back of a net in nine.

Who else among the forwards have any true offensive expectations on the shoulders? Rostislav Olesz and his 14 points? Teased year after year, we know better. Gregory Campbell or Kamil Kreps, who are a combined -13? "Suitcase" Shawn Matthias? Or perhaps faceoff whizz Dominic Moore, who - by no fault of his own -  has an unfortunate habit of getting hurt. A lot.

"But Whale! But Whale! What of David Booth and Cory Stillman? Where would the Cats be with them in the lineup?"

Undoubtedly leading the Eastern Conference in every major category.

What's it matter? They're not here now and probably won't be for some time. Based upon the little we've heard through the Panthers grapevine, it's entirely conceivable Booth won't return at all this season. Concussions tend to be nasty and unpredictable, and this one - his first - is no different. At least we know whom to hate when the postseason fires up.

Stillman is shooting for a late-December rollout, but realistically let's guess mid-January. I love and miss Stiller's hustle, leadership, and contributions as much as the next fan, but if you're hanging Florida's playoff fortunes on the return of a winger who celebrates his 36th birthday in a week, I've got some ProSet hockey cards from 1992 up for sale that are due to explode in value soon. Soon.

What to do, what to do?

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

Steven Reinprecht's 11th goal - his first since 2006 November 21st - kept the Cats in contention.

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In the end the Panthers indeed gained a point in the standings. And for that we are happy.

Right?

There really wasn't much to complain about with the Cats' effort against a team many figured would roll over them, but Florida-Pittsburgh games are always grudgematches, and tonight was no different. Peter DeBoer - heavily criticized recently for his club's perceived lack of preparation - had his boys ready for just about anything. Except overtime penalty kills...

Shawn Matthias appeared to have lost a couple of teeth after a brutal cross check to the face by Evgeny Malkin (who received a double minor on the play), but came back for more, only to wind up taking the butt-end of yet another stick to the face late in the third (no call on that one).

But that was the extent of tonight's "controversies", which really amounted to nothing. The Penguins, not playing to their traditional strengths, were a bit outside of their comfort zone, allowing numerous odd-man chances to break through the defensive zone. Backup goaltender Brent Johnson - in his first start since November 27th - looked to be channeling Lyndon Johnson at times, displaying the rust inherent from a long layoff, but coming up large when it mattered. He stopped 29 shots in what could have been a bloodbath for a lesser Number Two. That's what good clubs do. Malkin was the hero this time around, burying a Sergei Gonchar pass to end it - quickly - in the overtime period.

Steve Reinprecht and Stephen Weiss (grabbing his 14th of the year) scored for the Panthers, keeping it more than mildly interesting for fans in South Florida.

Tomas Vokoun was phenomenally outstanding at times, especially in the first frame, when he may have represented the entire Cats' defense. Embarrassing though it may be, we're used to it, and presumably so is "T-Vo".

Bottom line: the Pens caught up with themselves and did what they do: win. They are truly a fabulous club which can dig deep to close the deal, late power plays notwithstanding. The Panthers were not humiliated in any sense, and leaving The Igloo with a point is a major positive.

Off to Long Island...

 12-14-6 (30 Points)                                                 21-10-1 (43 Points)

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Welcome to this evening's Open Thread: Where we're not about to miss "Happy Pony"

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Been a lot of local talk about Florida's presumed goaltender-of-the-future Jacob Markstrom, given the ridiculous recent speculation regarding Tomas Vokoun being shopped (too early...too early...too early...). "T-Vo" may indeed be on the block, but a deal anytime prior to a few weeks ahead of the trade deadline will signal a blow-up-the-team approach, which this organization - awash in empty $10 seats - can ill afford. But that's a story for another day.

Playing in Europe, Markstrom rarely gets a whiff of press on this side of the pond, but his presence - and potential - is never far from Panthers fans' minds (though this gem could probably stand to be retired).

The first pick of the second round in 2008 (thanks to our friends in the Tampa-St. Pete metro area; how's Chris Gratton working out for ya?), the 19 year-old has a boatload of international experience, and considering his current numbers on a sub-par Brynas squad (1.99 GAA, .927 Save %) it's difficult to ignore what he may bring to the NHL.

Of course, the league and its history are strewn with the bodies of "can't miss" goaltenders, and Florida is playing it very close to the vest with this one: they speak in hushed tones, never revealing expectations or displaying an arrogance over the "crown jewel" in their system. A Seen Markstrom?-style campaign is definitely not in the cards.

And for the last time: he won't be in a Panthers sweater (or Rochester, or Everblades) until summer at the earliest; in a remarkable display of character seldom witnessed in recent years, he's honoring his existing contract. A Clemmensen-Markstrom duo is not on the horizon in for the remainder of this season.

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

3 days ago: Florida Panthers' Michael Frolik, left, of the Czech Republic, puts the puck into the net for a goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, in Newark, N.J. The Panthers defeated the Devils 4-2. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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That third period pass from Nathan Horton up to a flying Michael Frolik was a thing of remarkable beauty:

Um, the goal was nice too. The Cats dodged a bloody big bullet by holding on for a regulation win against New Jersey on what ostensibly was Martin Brodeur Night.

(Notice the three statements in the above sentence which are almost never, ever employed in unison: "Cats dodged", "holding on", and "regulation win"? Say it ain't so, Randy...)

So what's ahead for Florida as they cruise into balmy Pittsburgh this evening? Was Friday a fluke, engineered by hype over Brodeur's potential for his date with eternity? Has Frolik officially "arrived"? Safely under the radar flew Stephen Weiss, back on the scoresheet with two assists, has shown solid consistency and durability this year; is he finally the centerman fans have clamored for all this time? And do the Panthers really have any chance at all in balmy Pittsburgh?

What's on your mind?

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

3 days ago: Florida Panthers' Stephen Weiss, left, of Germany, checks New Jersey Devils' Johnny Oduya, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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On a night tailor-made for a longstanding record to fall, the Florida Panthers slammed the door on any such thoughts for a home crowd thirsty to get the hype behind behind them.

Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was denied his 104th shutout on defenseman Jordan Leopold's fourth of the year with a beautiful read, blasting the puck past an astonished New Jersey club at 3:53 of the first period. For all the times Florida keeps fans guessing, tonight was a happy exception.

Shots ended up 28 to 22 in the Devils' favor, but Michael Frolik's two goals - the second a spectacular one-on-none against Brodeur - proved to be the difference. The guy was determined and displaying the effort we've seen repeatedly but seldom witnessed a payoff. Frolik also led the Panthers with seven shots on goal.

Shawn Matthias scored his second of the season as Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss climbed back on to the train with two assists each.

Dean McAmmond and Brian Rolston scored for New Jersey.

Scott Clemmensen was imperfect but more than solid in net for the Cats; it was quite obvious where his heart resided on this night, downing a club which many claimed slighted him late in 2009.

More to come tomorrow...and keep in mind the Cats are headlining in Pittsburgh Saturday against Craig Adams, Brent Johnson, and the rest of the Penguins. Open thread goes live at 6pm.