Split doesn't wash with Panthers' DeBoer
Head coach gets greedy, understands value of each game
Last Updated: Friday, October 9, 2009 | 10:31 AM ET
The Associated Press
Eric Staal, right, and the Carolina Hurricanes have been tripped up, on the scoreboard, only twice in the past 17 home games against Michael Frolik and the Florida Panthers since February 2004. (Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press)After missing the playoffs last season by one point, the Florida Panthers understand the value of each game.
That's why they're disappointed with a two-game split to open the NHL season.
Back in North America, the Panthers open Southeast Division play Friday at 7 p.m. ET when they face the hometown Carolina Hurricanes.
Despite a 6-2-0 record over the final three weeks of 2008-09, and matching Montreal with 93 points, Florida lost the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot on a tiebreaker.
The Panthers (1-1-0) opened this season with a 4-3 shootout win over Chicago in Helsinki, Finland, but lost to the Blackhawks 4-0 on Saturday as the teams completed their two-game set.
"A month ago I would have taken [a split], but after winning the last game, you get greedy and want the four points," Panthers head coach Peter DeBoer said. "We're a skating, forechecking team and need legs. Part of it was that we didn't have the legs and part that Chicago played a great game and made us look bad."
Used as another training camp
With nine pre-season games limiting its practice schedule, Florida has used the time off this week as another training camp.
"We did special teams this morning before practice and during practice we worked on details," DeBoer told the club's website Wednesday. "We gave up too many shots [88], too many chances, to Chicago. We're working on our defensive game and coverage assignments, all the details of the game on how we have to play to be successful."
Goaltender Tomas Vokoun is expected to start both this contest and Saturday's home opener against New Jersey with Scott Clemmensen tending to a family issue.
Vokoun, who will be backed up by Alexander Salak if Clemmensen doesn't return by Friday, was 3-1-2 with a 2.30 goals-against and one shutout versus Carolina last season.
The Hurricanes (1-2-0) are looking for consecutive wins after dropping their first two games. Carolina rebounded from a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia and Saturday's 7-2 defeat at Boston with a 2-1 shootout win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
'It's a big win'
Tuomo Ruutu netted the clinching goal in the shootout, while Jussi Jokinen scored for the Hurricanes in regulation.
"It's a big win," said Jokinen, whose first-period power-play goal gave Carolina its first lead of the season. "The last two games we didn't play as good as we wanted, and I think we took a big step. We could play better, but wins are what counts and it's a big win."
Playing his first game of the season following September knee surgery, defenceman Joni Pitkanen assisted on Jokinen's goal.
Pitkanen left the game in the second period, but Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said it was merely a preventive measure.
"We took so many penalties in the second period and he got cold," Maurice told the Hurricanes' website. "He needs to stay warm and stay on the ice."
Cam Ward made 29 saves against the Lightning after getting pulled Saturday against Boston.
Ward is 8-4-0 with a 2.95 GAA versus Florida in his career.
Panthers centre Dominic Moore could be available after signing a one-year deal Monday. Moore had 13 goals and 32 assists playing for Toronto and Buffalo last season.
Carolina is 15-2-0 at home against Florida since Feb. 16, 2004.
