Tag: Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers were thoroughly roasted by Jimmy Eat World as the team looks for a new goal song

Everything, everything is not alright, alright in Florida.

For years, the Florida Panthers have used “Sweetness” — a song from the mid-90s teenage angst band Jimmy Eat World — as the celebratory track for each of their goals. During the 2021-2022 season, opponents heard “Sweetness” played 340 times as Florida, owners of the NHL’s best record, also led the league in scoring.

But for as much as Jimmy Eat World might hold a special place in the heart of every millennial trying to find themselves in this crazy little world of ours, it’s admittedly a little melodramatic for a moment that’s supposed to be celebratory.

As a result, the Panthers, fresh off a second-round sweep at the hands of the in-state rival Lightning, are in the midst of a search for a new goal song heading into next year. And when some Panthers fans tried to organize a petition to keep “Sweetness” as the de facto theme of their beloved hockey squad, it got the band’s attention.

In the funniest, most savage way:

Oh. My. Goodness. I mean, are they wrong? But still: My goodness!

Clearly, whoever runs the band’s Twitter account (Jim Adkins, hello! Answer my many emails, please!) was not in the mood to deal with a hockey team that wants to cut ties with them:

“Bye now! See you later! You won’t be missed,” Jimmy Eat World, probably (definitely).

It’s worth noting that another top NHL team, the Colorado Avalanche, have used a song to electrify their home fans in third periods. By pure coincidence, it happens to be a tune from the same general era of music as Jimmy Eat World: Blink 182’s “All The Small Things.”

Of course, that has little to do with the feud Jimmy Eat World now carries with the Panthers.

The band now definitely thinks Florida should write itself off yet.

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The Panthers were surprisingly swept by the Lightning in Round 2 and NHL fans were merciless

And so it ends. In unceremonious silence.

The Florida Panthers 2021-22 NHL season started with a bang and ended with a whimper.

On Monday, the Tampa Bay Lightning swept the Panthers in the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs after a chaotic 2-0 victory in Game 4. The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions live to see another round after putting the Panthers to bed in a dominant, suffocating fashion.

Coming into the playoffs, the Panthers had the NHL’s best offense and won the Presidents’ Trophy for having the best record in the league by season’s end. And yet, the Panthers scored just three goals in four games in the series, not nearly enough at all to best the reigning Stanley Cup champions and Andrei Vasilevskiy in net.

For the Panthers, the loss is an incredibly demoralizing one after such a dominant regular season. But it’s clear where their faults in this postseason were, in their inability to score goals and look like the team that scored the most goals (337) in the NHL this season.

As expected with such a surprising loss, NHL fans weren’t kind to the Panthers after sputtering out of the playoffs in such an unremarkable way.

The Lightning had not one, but two goals disallowed in Game 4 within minutes of each other

Well this was unusual!

Quite an unusual situation unfolded in Game 4 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers on Monday night.

After a scoreless first period, with the Panthers dominating the Lightning in shots down 3-0 in the series in an elimination game, Tampa Bay seemingly opened the scoring in the second on a wicked Alex Killorn deflection. But the Panthers then countered with a challenge from head coach Andrew Brunette, arguing that the puck hit the mesh netting — and was therefore out of bounds — right before that scoring attempt.

Wait what?

After a near 10-minute review, the goal was waived off due to hitting the mesh, setting the score at 0-0 once more.

But that’s not all! The Lightning then scored again mere minutes later, this time from Nikita Kucherov off a face-off play. This time, however, the goal was called off because Anthony Cirelli passed the puck with his hand, an illegal maneuver in hockey.

What a completely bizarre turn of events! I’ve never seen two goals called off within minutes of each other in any NHL game… ever. They were, however, the correct calls at the end of the day, giving the Panthers a bit more life to stave off elimination.

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Lightning’s Ross Colton scores last-second game-winner to stun the Panthers in Game 2

OH MY GOD!

This is a real gut-punch for the Florida Panthers.

With the Tampa Bay Lightning leading their second round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Panthers 1-0 coming into Thursday’s game, Florida needed to do something in Game 2 before the series swung back to their rival’s home rink. For nearly 60 minutes, the Panthers played the Lightning hard, and the score sat at 1-1 with seconds remaining until a possible overtime period to decide the winner.

That was until Ross Colton was left wide open in front of the Panthers net with four seconds remaining in the third period. In a complete defensive collapse, the Panthers allowed the Lightning to capitalize on Nikita Kucherov’s backwards pass to Colton, who buried the shot top shelf for the 2-1 game winner.

Talk about an absolute heartbreaker right there. What should have been a 1-1 game headed to overtime to decide the winner became a 2-1 victory for the Lightning after a horrible defensive miscue. And seriously, it was a bad one.

Yeah, there’s no way you can leave Colton — who scored the game-winning goal for the Lightning in last year’s Stanley Cup Final! — that wide open with seconds remaining in the third.

Instead of having a chance to win the game in overtime, the Panthers are now down 2-0 in the series with the games shifting to Tampa Bay for the next two bouts. If the Panthers ultimately lose this series, and it’s not looking great right now, come back to this moment as the one where everything changed.

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Claude Giroux is playing his first game with the Florida Panthers and it’s super weird

This is going to take some getting used to.

It’s going to take some time to get used to Claude Giroux in a Florida Panthers sweater.

Thursday night was Giroux’s first game with the Panthers after being traded to Florida before the 2022 NHL trade deadline. The former Philadelphia Flyers captain had an emotional week leading up to the deadline, culminating in his 1,000th career NHL game with the team in what was partly a celebration and partly a farewell tour.

Now, a new leaf has been turned and Giroux has taken to the ice with the Panthers in an official game capacity. And folks I have to say, it’s really really weird!

Yeah, this hurts me.

Not only that, Giroux and former Flyers defenseman Robert Hagg teamed up to assist on Aleksander Barkov’s opening goal just a minute into the game for their first points in a Panthers’ sweater.

Here’s how the hockey world — and Flyers fans in particular — reacted to Giroux’s first game with the Panthers.

Former Notre Dame players on NHL rosters to begin 2021-22 season

Pay special attention to these players this season.

The puck has dropped on the 2021-22 NHL season, and the full 82-game schedule has returned. Besides the usual amount of hockey to look forward to once again, there also is a new team that has taken the ice. One player on that team played collegiate hockey at Notre Dame, as did nine other players who are starting the year on NHL rosters. That number could grow later this season with 15 other former Irish players starting play in the AHL, but for now, here are the 10 you can see at hockey’s top level at this moment:

Watch: Brian Flores gives role of ‘hockey hype man’ his best shot

Watch: Brian Flores gives role of ‘hockey hype man’ his best shot

The Miami Dolphins endured a narrow miss in 2020, just missing out on the party that is the NFL’s postseason play despite winning 10 games for just the third time in the last 15 years. It was a painful close to an otherwise inspiring season for the Dolphins — but it left South Florida primed to try their best to pick up the next pro sports franchise to make their respective playoffs.

First up? The Florida Panthers, who entered postseason play with two home games against the Tampa Bay Lightning — the reigning Stanley Cup champions from the previous season. A tough draw for sure, which meant the Panthers tried to break out the big guns for Game 2 after a narrow loss at home in Game 1.

Enter Brian Flores, who tried his best to serve as the team’s perfect hype man on Tuesday night. Pre-game speech and appearance in the introductory video?

Check.

Breaking out the rally towels mid-game to spur on the team? You got some of that, too.

It’s fun seeing Flores outside of his typical element, where he’s often the even-keeled presence in press conferences and a much more stern presence on the sidelines of games in the NFL — and it’s also fun seeing him help pick up another one of the local teams.

But the help from Flores didn’t help on Tuesday night, as the Panthers fell at home to the Lightning by a score of 3-1 and will now hit the road to play in Tampa facing an 0-2 series deficit.

Former Notre Dame Players in NHL to Begin 2020-21 Season

The NHL finally drops the puck on its 2020-21 season Wednesday. With COVID-19 still running rampant, this will be a season unlike any other.

The NHL finally drops the puck on its 2020-21 season Wednesday. With COVID-19 still running rampant, this will be a season unlike any other. Teams will play 56 games in divisions that drastically have been realigned for the season, and teams will not play outside their respective divisions. But no matter which team you root for, there will be plenty of players who suited up for Notre Dame before they ascended to hockey’s highest level.

Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Florida Panthers at New York Islanders NHL Playoffs Qualifier Round sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders tangle Saturday in Game 1 of their best-of-five NHL Playoffs Qualifier Series round at 4 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, one of two hub locations for the NHL restart. We analyze the Panthers-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders: Projected starting goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Thomas Greiss

Bobrovsky, who made the start in Wednesday’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, registered a 23-19-6 record, 3.23 goals-against average and .900 save percentage across 50 games (49 starts). It wasn’t exactly the type of production the team hoped they’d get from Bobrovsky after backing up a Brink’s truck to his house last offseason. However, he can wash all of those buyer’s remorse feelings away with a strong postseason run. It might be tough, however, as he was 0-2-0 in two starts against the Isles, although he had a respectable 2.05 GAA and .938 SV%.

Greiss was the backstop in a 2-1 exhibition win over the rival New York Rangers on Wednesday night, a good sign he’ll be manning the crease in Game 1 against the Cats. While “Bob” was pretty good against the Isles this season, Greiss was just a little better against the Panthers. Greiss posted a 2-0-0 record, 1.00 GAA and .972 save percentage in two regular-season starts, stopping 69 of the 71 pucks he faced.

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Panthers vs. Islanders: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 4, Panthers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The ISLANDERS (-121) have won four consecutive meetings with the Panthers (+100), so there is a lot of confidence for the boys in blue and orange. In addition, the favorite has cashed in five of the previous six meetings in this series. New York is trying to wash a bad taste out of its mouth after being swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the postseason a year ago. Florida will be getting its feet wet, returning to the postseason since 2016. That invaluable experience last season for the Isles, albeit brief, will be the difference, as well as having Barry Trotz behind the bench.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Islanders to win returns a profit of $8.30, while a $10 wager on the Panthers results in a profit of $10.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

It might be a good idea to go lightly on ISLANDERS (-1.5, +225) on the puck line. Keep in mind, though, that while New York won each of the previous three regular-season meetings, one win came in a shootout, and the other in a 2-1 win in regulation on the Island. Either way, the moneyline cashed twice, and the puck line did not. So tread lightly.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (-110) is a slam-dunk play in this one. Expect the skaters to look like they’re pushing in sand early in the qualifiers after a long layoff, taking at least a game or two to knock off the rust. Plus, the first three meetings between these clubs each cashed the under. Look for more of the same.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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NHL Picks and Best Bets: 2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions

Looking at the NHL betting odds to win the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Final, with NHL futures picks and best bets.

The 2019-20 Stanley Cup will be up for grabs later this summer as the NHL season resumes with a 24-team playoff structure. The expanded postseason has opened up the odds, providing greater profit margins for sports bettors. Below, we’ll look at the Stanley Cup futures odds, and make our picks and best bets at BetMGM.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Favorite

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated Thursday, May 28 at 2:40 p.m. ET.

St. Louis Blues (+1000)

The defending Stanley Cup champions finished the abbreviated regular season atop the ultra-competitive Central Division at 42-19-10 for 94 points through 71 games. They scored 225 goals and allowed just 193, all without star RW Vladimir Tarasenko (shoulder) for the majority of the season.

Tarasenko will return following the break and unlike most teams who try to defend a Stanley Cup title, the Blues are plenty rested after going the distance in 2018-19. The pressure has also faded, at least slightly, due to the prolonged break.

The Blues are only sixth by the odds to win the Cup despite finishing first in the Western Conference and receiving a Qualification Round bye. They’re a strong pick as the first team with odds of 10/1 or higher.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Blues to win the Stanley Cup returns a profit of $100.

Get some action on the NHL playoffs by placing a legal sports bet (in NJ, IN, CO and WV) at BetMGM.com.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Contender

Edmonton Oilers (+2300)

The extended mid-season interruption will help level the competitive playing field for all 24 teams in the expanded playoffs. For this reason, it’s smart to trust the Oilers, who are led by C Connor McDavid and C Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl and McDavid finished 1-2 in both points and assists in the regular season, and they’ll be able to take advantage of any team showing signs of rust defensively.

Believe in the raw talent of the Oilers’ two stars as they’ll look to outscore the competition in what’s sure to be a more wide-open playoff-style than to which we’re accustomed.

2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Odds: Long shot

Florida Panthers (+6500)

Alternatively, look at the Panthers as your Stanley Cup dart throw. They ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference with 231 goals in the regular season while going 35-26-8. G Sergei Bobrovsky, a marquee free-agent addition, struggled through 50 games to post a .900 save percentage and a 3.23 goals against average.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner is the biggest X-factor in this new playoff structure. The break has given him plenty of time to regroup and move past his regular-season struggles. If he can return to form, the Panthers could be vaulted into a long postseason run.

Want some action in the 2019-20 NHL Playoffs? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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