Rapid Fire: Fool Me Once...
Sunday, 04.01.2012 / 11:30 AM
/ Rapid Fire
By Steve Goldstein
- FloridaPanthers.com
Welcome to Rapid Fire. Panthers broadcasters Steve Goldstein and Bill Lindsay will hit five different thoughts on a daily rotating basis. It's up to them as far as what topics they want to talk about as teams, and more specifically the Panthers, make a push towards the playoffs and the Stanley Cup.
With Rapid Fire falling on April Fool's Day, Steve Goldstein topics of choice are things that have fooled him this season and one that he hopes doesn't.
Without Sid The Kid: I was fooled into thinking the Penguins couldn't be a top team without Sidney Crosby. The joke's on me, Evgeni Malkin has been the NHL's best player and has the Pens in position to be a Cup contender, for the most part, without Crosby who was out for most of the season recovering from a concussion.
The Panthers Net: Many thought the Cats goaltending would be a weakness this season. It's turned out to be a strength. Jose Theodore has been solid and Scott Clemmensen has earned the team points in 18 of his 24 games.
First Place: It has been a tough last 10 days for Panthers fans with the team gaining only 5 of 12 possible points against teams low in the standings. But...if we said back in the summer that Florida would be in first place on April Fool's Day we all would've said that a good one! Fact is they have earned what they've gotten and now MUST finish the job.
Singing The Blues: The Rangers, Penguins, Canucks...sure, it's no surprise that those teams are at the top of the NHL. But the St Louis Blues? That's a big surprise. They started slow, made a coaching change and have played historically great defensive hockey. Ken Hitchcock will win Coach of the Year. St Louis has very good players throughout the lineup but is doing it without superstars and has two red hot goalies. Good for the fans and franchise in St Louis.
Don't Fool Us: The Panthers look to get their mojo back today against Detroit. It's the final week of the season and this team hasn't failed all season long. Players with Stanley Cup rings, playoff experience and those trying to get to the playoffs for the first time need to come together, refocus and finish off what has been a super season. The Panthers have been in a playoff spot basically from game 1 of the season. It's closing time and I'm confident in this group. Don't fool me now!
With Rapid Fire falling on April Fool's Day, Steve Goldstein topics of choice are things that have fooled him this season and one that he hopes doesn't.
Without Sid The Kid: I was fooled into thinking the Penguins couldn't be a top team without Sidney Crosby. The joke's on me, Evgeni Malkin has been the NHL's best player and has the Pens in position to be a Cup contender, for the most part, without Crosby who was out for most of the season recovering from a concussion. The Panthers Net: Many thought the Cats goaltending would be a weakness this season. It's turned out to be a strength. Jose Theodore has been solid and Scott Clemmensen has earned the team points in 18 of his 24 games. First Place: It has been a tough last 10 days for Panthers fans with the team gaining only 5 of 12 possible points against teams low in the standings. But...if we said back in the summer that Florida would be in first place on April Fool's Day we all would've said that a good one! Fact is they have earned what they've gotten and now MUST finish the job. Singing The Blues: The Rangers, Penguins, Canucks...sure, it's no surprise that those teams are at the top of the NHL. But the St Louis Blues? That's a big surprise. They started slow, made a coaching change and have played historically great defensive hockey. Ken Hitchcock will win Coach of the Year. St Louis has very good players throughout the lineup but is doing it without superstars and has two red hot goalies. Good for the fans and franchise in St Louis. Don't Fool Us: The Panthers look to get their mojo back today against Detroit. It's the final week of the season and this team hasn't failed all season long. Players with Stanley Cup rings, playoff experience and those trying to get to the playoffs for the first time need to come together, refocus and finish off what has been a super season. The Panthers have been in a playoff spot basically from game 1 of the season. It's closing time and I'm confident in this group. Don't fool me now!Author: Steve Goldstein | FloridaPanthers.com
