Panthers 2 - Predators 3: Point Earned, Point Lost.

The Florida Panthers took a 2-1 lead to the 3rd period, but saw 2 points slip away as they lost in a shootout to the Nashville Predators. The Predators struck first on a Shea Weber power play goal in the 1st period. Just over a minute later, however, Rostislav Olesz got the Cats tied on a semi-breakaway goal. Karlis Skrastins scored his 2nd of the season to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead going into the 3rd period. Halfway through the final stanza, Nashville's Martin Erat scored to send the game into overtime. A few good chances for both teams in the OT produced no winners, and the game went into a shootout. Backup goaltenders were in the nets for both teams, and the lone shootout goal went to Martin Erat.


The game was not televised, so I had to make do with the online radio broadcast of the game. Plus, I am a University of Florida alum, and was not in the most coherent state listening to the game after my Gators whooped some Dawgs. Apparently, 1996 Panthers' hero Billy Lindsay is in the booth for the Panthers, alongside long time play-by-play man Red Deer Randy Moller. Loved listening to the guys, as normally I'm watching the game on the tele. It sounds like another hard working, great effort performance by the boys that came up short. Craig Anderson stood tall late in the 3rd as Nashville pressed for a winner. They did manage to snag a point, which is good, but another 3rd period loss is painful.

Once again, the defensemen provided more of an offensive spark then the forwards. Skrastins scored 1 of the 2 goals, and Ballard had yet another assist on the Olesz goal. And, for the 2nd game in a row, the Panthers couldn't break through a 2nd string goaltender. Clearly, goal scoring is going to be an ongoing effort for the Panthers this year. You aren't going to win many 1-0, 2-1 games in the NHL. Let's hope when we get healthy, this trend starts to turn.

Next game: Tomorrow @ Atlanta, 5:00.