Bruins Kick Off Sunshine State Tour With Panthers

Bryan Allen (right) and the rest of the Florida Panthers shutout the Bruins in the clubs' only contest this season.

Last Wednesday, the Bruins gave a great gift to their fans for Christmas: A win where the powerplay finally showed some power, scoring three goals on the man advantage. After a Christmas break and some well needed rest, the Bruins have now packed their bags and arrived in sunny Florida for their first of two showdowns in the Sunshine State where the B’s have a chance to pull within one point of division-leading Buffalo with a sweep.

The David Booth-less Panthers may come into tonight’s contest at the BankAtlantic Center with the worst home record in the Eastern Conference, but with the Panthers recent success over their past two and a half weeks with a 5-2-1 record, the Bruins simply cannot afford to let their foot off the gas.

Leading the charge for Florida has been 6’2″ winger Nathan Horton. The sixth-year Panther has 12 points in the last eight games, posting five goals and seven assists along with a +3.

Despite the absence of 2008-09 Panthers leading scorer David Booth, Florida hasn’t seen a dramatic dip in their offensively output as one would expect. While Booth is just beginning to skate in what is sure to be a trying journey for the future superstar (see: Patrice Bergeron in 2007-08), the rest of the Panthers have tallied 107 goals in 39 games this season, good for eighth in the NHL.

While putting the puck in the net has failed to become an issue for the Panthers in 2009-10, their weak-spot sits in between the pipes of their own end. Tomas Vokoun, when not getting struck in the head by his own defensemen, has struggled to perform at a consistently high level that fans have become accustomed to this season. After posting a dismal 2-7-1 record in October, the 33-year old Slovakian netminder has performed strongly in December, boasting a 4-2-3 record with a 2.19 goals against average.

Regardless of his sub-.500 record against Boston throughout his career, Bruins fans certainly remember Vokoun’s last effort against the Bruins, where his 40 saves and shutout of the Bruins through 65 minutes of play and in four rounds of the shootout gave Florida a win in the Hub.

Recognizing Vokoun’s stellar effort in that game, one can’t help but also tip their cap to Bruins netminder Tim Thomas, who technically shut-out the Panthers in the contest as well, stopping 23 Panthers shots before Cory Stillman spoiled Thomas’ effort with a game ending shootout goal.

Despite the loss back on November 12th, the effort displayed by Thomas provided us with yet another highlight save while providing B’s fans with more Jack Edwards ridiculous-ness.

On a good note, and potentially great note, Bruins forward Milan Lucic has made the trip to Florida with the club along with ailing defensemen Derek Morris. Whether Lucic’s presence is purely for tanning purposes or just to get in some real practices in his effort to return for January 1st’s Winter Classic, the looming return of #17 is definitely a plus for Bruins fans craving to see some more tenacity out of their club.

Boston looks to continue to overcome their minor road bump in what has been an otherwise successful month of December. After dropping four straight, the Bruins have rebounded for two straight victories and remain 5-3-3 on the month. It’s unknown as to whether Tuukka Rask or Tim Thomas will get the nod against the Panthers, but with a showdown against Lightning set for Monday, it’s likely that B’s fans will get to see both parts of the Bruins two-headed monster in the crease.

Players To Watch

* For the Bruins, Marc Savard will be appearing in his first game against the Panthers this season. In 2008-09, Savard has four points in as many games against Florida and is coming off a three point game after posting just one in his previous six.

* Michael Ryder, a notoriously streaky player throughout his career, had a goal in Wednesday’s game against the Thrashers after going goal-less in the previous four games. Ryder is currently on pace for just 34 points after putting together a 53-point campaign in his first year as a Bruin in 2008-09.

* Florida center and 2001 first round draft pick Stephen Weiss looks to continue to add to what has been a very impressive December. The 26-year old center has 10 goals and 18 points in only 13 games this month but has no points in his past five games against the Bruins.

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