The road to the playoffs begins tonight.

Amen. Horton's back. Nieuwendyk'll be back against the Devils.

 

Any word on Olesz?

Islanders-Panthers Preview

 

GAME: New York Islanders (10-10-0) at Florida Panthers (6-10-4).

 

TIME: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST.

 

Despite closing in on the longest losing streak in franchise history, the Florida Panthers feel like they're playing well.

 

Florida looks to end its 10-game skid when it meets the New York Islanders for the second time this season.

 

The losing streak is the Panthers' longest since a team-record 13-game skid from Feb. 7-March 23, 1998. Florida, which hasn't won since Oct. 25 at Pittsburgh, has lost seven of the 10 games by only one goal.

 

``It's frustrating,'' Panthers forward Martin Gelinas said. ``What can I say? It is disappointing. It's been like that for two weeks.''

 

Florida fell 4-1 to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, but goalie Roberto Luongo thought the team played some of its best hockey of the season - ``especially on defense.''

 

The Panthers led 1-0 after the second period, but allowed three goals in the first 12:24 of the third to drop to 0-7-3 during the skid.

 

``You've got to remember, (Ottawa) is one of the better teams in the league,'' Florida coach Jacques Martin said. ``I think we learned from that and we played with them for 40 minutes.''

 

New York fell for the first time on its four-game road trip Thursday, 3-2 to defending champion Tampa Bay. The Islanders, who opened the trip with wins over Pittsburgh and Atlanta, had a season-high three-game winning streak snapped.

 

New York captain Alexei Yashin tied Thursday's game at 2-2 in the first minute of the third period, but Martin St. Louis scored a rebound goal with 1:43 left to give the Lightning the win.

 

``We gave away a point,'' Islanders coach Steve Stirling said. ``That's a disappointment we got beat. Played hard, played against a good team and played pretty well for 57, 58 minutes but it's not enough.''

 

New York goalie Rick DiPietro stopped 28 shots, but had no chance on St. Louis' winner.

 

``The puck's going way over the net,'' DiPietro said. ``It catches Vinny (Lecavalier) in the back and then it just falls right to his feet. You've got to give them credit. They worked hard. They were in the right spot, but that's a tough one for us to drop.''

 

STANDINGS (through Nov. 18): Islanders - 20 points, 3rd place (tied), 5 PB, Atlantic Division. Panthers - 16 points, 4th place, 13 PB, Southeast Division.

 

TEAM LEADERS: Islanders - Miroslav Satan, 11 goals; Alexei Zhitnik, 14 assists; Yashin, 23 points; Janne Niinimaa, 46 PIM. Panthers - Nathan Horton, 7 goals; Olli Jokinen, 11 assists and 17 points; Branislav Mezei, 37 PIM.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS (through Nov. 18): Islanders - Power play: 15.6 percent (20 for 128), 23rd in NHL. Penalty killing: 83.5 percent (122 for 146), 11th. Panthers - Power play: 12.3 percent (15 for 122), 28th. Penalty killing: 79.6 percent (102 for 128), 26th.

 

GOALTENDERS: Islanders - DiPietro (7-8-0, 3.20 GAA); Garth Snow (3-2-0, 3.53). Panthers - Luongo (6-8-4, 2 SO, 2.79); Jamie McLennan (0-2-0, 2.79).

 

SEASON SERIES: Panthers, 1-0.

 

LAST MEETING: Oct. 10; Panthers, 3-1. At Uniondale, N.Y., Kristian Huselius and Chris Gratton scored 4:31 apart in the second period, and Luongo made 29 saves for the Panthers.

 

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Islanders - 5-7-0 on the road; Panthers - 4-2-1 at home.

I read Horton wasn't expected back till next week, no?

I read Horton wasn't expected back till next week, no?

 

 

I remember hearing he targeted the home-stand...but you may be right.

 

Nieuwendyk says he should be back for the Devils on Wednesday. And Stewart's targeting January.

Talk about a bail out on that non-goal call. Dodging something like that could really be helpful.

1-1/

Special teams continue to be a serious area of concern.

Special teams continue to be a serious area of concern.

 

That's what Alexei Semenov is for :thumbup .

According to the Isle's announce team, the Panthers are now an incredible 2 for their last 42 on the power-play.

2-1. Of course. We are going to lose again.

We need a pure goal scorer.

 

The trade Keenan made for Semenov will definitely help our PK's, but we still desperately need a pure goal scorer.

we suck

The Cats just need someone who can finish...

Another powerplay for us.

 

They're trying to HAND this game to us, if we don't score here, we're pathetic.

 

If the Florida Marlins played hockey, they would play like the Panthers.

This power play we better connect on.

22 seconds left in the PP...ah, screw it.

We lose. I have no hope in this game anymore.

 

OMFG.

3-1

 

Disgusting.

I can't f***ing believe it.

Wow. 4-1

 

Only needed 4 seconds for that one.

 

5-1 :lol . This is getting out of hand.

I give up. Seriously, I give up. This team just can't play because we have players who seem to not give a f*** what happens.

I give up. Seriously, I give up. This team just can't play because we have players who seem to not give a f*** what happens.

 

 

Well, it's more a problem that it's a team filled with grinders and overrated offensive talent. Not built well for the new NHL...

We do have offensive talent. Hopefully, since we are getting our top guys back in the next week or so, we will finally come out of it.

 

ROBERTS! NUMBER 400!

Pretty backhanded goal.