Contrasting States: Florida
Things are tight at the top of the Atlantic Division, as it stands there's only two points between the top three teams.
The two Florida teams, while geographically close, are miles apart in the points race. The Tampa Bay Lightning are holding onto a slim lead at the top of the division, while the Florida Panthers are only avoiding only just avoiding the wooden spoon.
The two Florida teams, while geographically close, are miles apart in the points race. The Tampa Bay Lightning are holding onto a slim lead at the top of the division, while the Florida Panthers are only avoiding only just avoiding the wooden spoon.
From the Panthers' BB&T Centre to the Lightning's Tampa Bay Times Arena is only 245 miles by road, but based on this season's, performances so far, that distance might as well be 100,000 miles because it's difficult to see how the two teams are in the same league.
What makes the difference in fortunes so unusual is that the two Florida teams' recent histories are freakishly similar. Both teams replaced their General Managers in 2010. Steve Yzerman coming into Tampa Bay and Dale Tallon taking the reigns at the Panthers.
Further more, in 2013, both teams fired their Head Coaches. Guy Boucher got the chop at Tampa Bay and this week Kevin Dineen was shown the door.
That's where the similarities end though, the new GMs came in with very different ideas on how to progress their teams. Yzerman resigned Martin St. Louis as well as bringing in a number of good players (Dan Ellis, Simon Gagne).
Tallon on the other hand immediately started to free up Panthers roster space, trading away Keith Ballard, and Nathan Horton. At the end of the season, even more went, including Radek Dvorak.
Since then the two teams have pretty much taken turns to make playoff appearances, although last season saw the Lightning finish 28th and the Panthers finish 30th in the league.
So what's changed? While the Panthers seem to be repeating last season's disappointing performances, the Lightning are mixing it up with the big boys and winning.
The difference is the performance on the ice. The Panthers' three leading scorers have 14 goals between them. The Lightning's Steven Stamkos has 14 goals on his own. Add Martin St. Louis and Valtteri Filppula into the mix and that total jumps to 27.
The Lightning also have a much better supply line, 87 assists compared to 53 for the Panthers.
Both teams are posting similar penalty numbers but Tampa Bay are better on the penalty kill. 85.2% compared to 78.4%. It's also worth remembering that Jesse Winchester, arguably one of the Panthers' best skaters is currently suspended for his hit on Chris Kelly.
Can the Panthers turn things around and make the playoffs this season? Too early to tell but probably not. The better question to ask is 'can Tampa Bay go all the way?' The way the team is playing right now? I've no doubt that they'll make the playoffs.
What do you think? Are the Panthers looking like throwing away another season do they have more left in the tank?
What makes the difference in fortunes so unusual is that the two Florida teams' recent histories are freakishly similar. Both teams replaced their General Managers in 2010. Steve Yzerman coming into Tampa Bay and Dale Tallon taking the reigns at the Panthers.
Further more, in 2013, both teams fired their Head Coaches. Guy Boucher got the chop at Tampa Bay and this week Kevin Dineen was shown the door.
That's where the similarities end though, the new GMs came in with very different ideas on how to progress their teams. Yzerman resigned Martin St. Louis as well as bringing in a number of good players (Dan Ellis, Simon Gagne).
Tallon on the other hand immediately started to free up Panthers roster space, trading away Keith Ballard, and Nathan Horton. At the end of the season, even more went, including Radek Dvorak.
Since then the two teams have pretty much taken turns to make playoff appearances, although last season saw the Lightning finish 28th and the Panthers finish 30th in the league.
So what's changed? While the Panthers seem to be repeating last season's disappointing performances, the Lightning are mixing it up with the big boys and winning.
The difference is the performance on the ice. The Panthers' three leading scorers have 14 goals between them. The Lightning's Steven Stamkos has 14 goals on his own. Add Martin St. Louis and Valtteri Filppula into the mix and that total jumps to 27.
The Lightning also have a much better supply line, 87 assists compared to 53 for the Panthers.
Both teams are posting similar penalty numbers but Tampa Bay are better on the penalty kill. 85.2% compared to 78.4%. It's also worth remembering that Jesse Winchester, arguably one of the Panthers' best skaters is currently suspended for his hit on Chris Kelly.
Can the Panthers turn things around and make the playoffs this season? Too early to tell but probably not. The better question to ask is 'can Tampa Bay go all the way?' The way the team is playing right now? I've no doubt that they'll make the playoffs.
What do you think? Are the Panthers looking like throwing away another season do they have more left in the tank?
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