Hockey in the Sunshine?

The Sunshine State wants playoff hockey: and they just might get it. By Bryan Rubin

(AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

The last time the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lighting both made the playoffs in the same year – 1996. Most of the blame, actually all of the blame for this streak lies on the usually pathetic Panthers who haven’t made the postseason since the 1999-2000 season. The Lightning on the other hand have made the playoffs five times since 1996 while winning Lord Stanley’s Cup in 2004.

But hey anything is possible when it comes to hockey. With both teams off to fast starts in 2011, will Floridians across the state see playoff hockey this year? We think its possible.

The Cats finished the month of October with a respectable 6-4 record. It is actually the first time the team has won six games in October since 2007-2008. All the offseason acquisitions appear to be paying off so far. Defenseman Brian Campbell leads the team with nine assists and the former Philadelphia Flyer, Kris Versteeg has a team high five goals playing on the Panther’s most productive line alongside Stephen Weiss and Thomas Fleischman. The goaltending duo of veteran Jose Theodore and rookie Jacob Markstrom has been solid, giving the team the twelfth best goals against average in the league. After painting all the seats in the Bank Atlantic Center red, the teams motto for this year is “We See Red.” Well guess what – we do too.

In North Florida, the Tampa Bay Lightning have rebounded from a slow start. Winners of four of their past five games, Tampa is looking to continue the momentum Tuesday in a matchup with division rival Carolina. This past offseason, general manager Steve Yzerman didn’t go out and bring in too many new faces. He was pretty content on last year’s team that reached Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals. The fate of the Bolts will lie in the hands of superstar Steven Stamkos. He’s got six goals so far to lead the team and if he gets some secondary scoring, the Lighting should finish near six, seventh, or eighth in the East. Playoffs? We think so.

And by the way, they do have ice in Florida.