A Bittersweet Win for the Panthers

Eighty games to their credit and the goal of making the postseason hinged on Florida winning tonight. Sure, they could have lost in overtime and won on Saturday and still had a chance, but the reality is that Florida needed to win.

And they did. But as the clock hit zero in Atlanta, up in New York, the Rangers were holding off the Flyers in the final minute of play. To get in, the Panthers needed a win and New York or Montreal had to lose, or at most, get one point.

New York's win clinched their playoff berth and the focus shifted to the Bruins/Canadiens game, which was, if you look with impartiality to Florida's situation, a great game. The Bruins held a 3-1 lead early, but the Habs stormed back and took a 4-3 lead for themselves. Boston tied the game up and all anyone could do was hope the Bruins could score in regulation to keep Florida's hopes alive, but as time wound down, reality set in - Florida's missed the playoffs once again.

For those keeping score, the Bruins did win that game, in overtime.

When you add it all up, the answer is the same as it was last season, the year before that and before that through to the turn of the century. For some players - and likely fans - it will be the end of their days with the Panthers. For others, just another disappointment softened by the thought that next year will be better.

You'll get such a wide array of answers on this season, depending on who you ask, but whether the tone is optimistic or downright angry, most are justifiable. After all, it's been eight full seasons now since south Florida last saw playoff hockey. If you're counting years, it's nine. Nine years ago, people worried about the Y2K bug. Stephen Weiss, now 26 years old, was a rookie in the Ontario Hockey League. Minnesota and Columbus hadn't yet entered the league. Columbus, who hadn't made the playoffs in their history, put that to bed by clinching a spot in the playoffs this season - and good for them. Fans of both teams know all too well what the feeling has been for so long.

Still, Florida took another small step forward this season. Those words have, understandably, lost their meaning to many, however. We've taken steps forward every year since 2000, all the way to 91 points and a chance for 93. If someone told you last September that Florida would have 91 points, would you have believed it?

The last time Florida had 90+ points, they made the playoffs (1999-2000). For only the third time in franchise history, the Cats have won 40 games. 227 goals through 81 games is the sixth highest total in team history and the 227 goals against is currently fifth fewest in team history. Stephen Weiss, a fan favourite and potential team captain someday has had a career year and with two more assists tonight, he's one point away from 60. David Booth's go-ahead goal in the third gives him 29 goals, and Florida's second round pick from 2004 (53rd overall) now has 55 points, up considerably from his breakout season last year. Nathan Horton's point totals were down, although he missed significant time due to injury and also had to move back to center. If he can find consistency, Horton will be just fine as well.

Take a look at Michael Frolik's rookie campaign and you'll have something to smile about. 20 goals and 21 assists and if you watched the games, you could easily see that there is much more to his game that experience will bring about.

McCabe has been a treat, Ballard was a great presence on the ice and he always knew when a timely hit was necessary, Campbell had a career year and we got a glimpse of the future when Michal Repik scored in his NHL debut and then again later in the year. We saw Jason Garrison, an excellent college signing, turn pro in a strong way with Rochester with 34 points so far and he showed great poise in his lone game with Florida early in the season.

Florida's goaltenders are #2 and #3 in the NHL in save percentage, and Jacob Markström led Sweden to the WJC final, winning top goalie honours for the tournament.

And then there's rookie coach Peter DeBoer. Until Florida fell out of contention, DeBoer was getting more than his share of praises during Jack Adams discussions (coach of the year).

Along the way, there have been some bumps and bruises, but DeBoer has been another bright spot in a season that may ultimately be considered little more than another early summer for the Panthers.

There were disappointments on the year, no doubt. The Jay Bouwmeester ordeal lingered throughout the season and not trading the defenseman at the deadline will be a decision that, looking back, will probably do more harm than good knowing now that Florida still didn't make the playoffs, but at the time, it was a risk they were willing to take.

Rostislav Olesz had a dismal season that was hampered once again by injuries, although if he can stay healthy from the outset next year and play the way he did to end this season, he's going to make his contract a non-issue. Of course, that's an "if" for a reason.

In the end, Florida is out and no matter how many positives you dig up, it stings.