Florida Panthers Are Rolling

Bryan Rubin breaks down the Florida Panthers and tells us why they are the real deal.

Another week is in the books and the Florida Panthers (10-6-3) currently sit atop the Southeast Division with 23 points. Every week it seems as if we debate if the Panthers are for real or not. But with a win Saturday night over the conference leading Penguins, the Panthers has to be seen as a legitimate threat to win the division.

Here’s why:

1. Dynamic Defensemen: General Manager, Dale Tallon, counted on veteran free agent defensemen Ed Jovanovski and Brian Campbell to help solidify the blue line. Campbell has been on fire, leading all NHL defensemen with 18 points. What he didn’t count on was Jason Garrison (7 goals) leading the NHL in scoring for a defenseman at this point in the season. Add youngsters Dimitri Kulikov and Keaton Ellerby in the mix and you got a solid back line in front of Jose Theodore.

2. Top Geared First Line: Stephen Weiss, Thomas Fleischmann, and Kris Versteeg, the Panthers first line, has accounted for 43 percent of the team’s goals. Not to mention each player is one, two and three on the team in points. Note to the goal judge: The Panthers has never had a high-powered first line like they do now, so if your thumbs are sore we are just as surprised as you.

3. Hockey Night in South Florida: The Panthers have always had a hard time competing with the Heat and Dolphins for fans. But with no NBA season and a below average football team, South Florida is getting behind the Florida Panthers. Attendance is up and fans are actually talking playoffs. The ten year drought could finally be over come April.