[k4sum1]

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc321/kasumigdts/GDT%20Headers/panthersvscanadiens.jpg

http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc321/kasumigdts/GDT%20Headers/BAC%20Times/bac500.jpg

CANADIENS (20-19-3) at PANTHERS (16-17-7)
TV: FS-F, RDS | Radio: 790 The Ticket, NHL Radio

Last 10: Montreal 5-4-1; Florida 5-4-1.

Season Series: This is the first of four meetings between the teams. They last faced each other on Jan. 29, when five different players scored for Florida in a 5-1 victory against Montreal at the BankAtlantic Center.

Big Story: They may be on the road, but the Canadiens will feel right at home on Thursday night as thousands of their fans will be ringing in the New Year in South Florida. The Habs' faithful was in full force on Wednesday in Tampa Bay and watched the Canadiens earn a 2-1 overtime victory against the Lightning.

Team Scope:

Canadiens: Just hours after finding out he will be representing the Czech Republic in two months at the Olympic Games in Vancouver, Tomas Plekanec scored the game-winner 3:32 into overtime to lift Montreal to a thrilling victory at the St. Pete Times Forum on Wednesday night.

''Not bad. No complaints today,'' Plekanec said. ''I hope there'll be more days like that.''

Panthers: Florida enters Thursday's action trying to avoid a three-game losing streak. The Panthers suffered their second straight setback on Sunday in a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins at the BankAtlantic Center.

"It was a tough game that could have gone either way," said Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen, who made 26 saves. "In this League, there's never a margin of error."

Who's Hot: Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov has three goals and five assists in six games since returning from injury. … Panthers center Dominic Moore has two goals and three assists in his last seven contests.

Injury Report: Habs defenseman Paul Mara is with the club, but hasn't played since Dec. 21 due to a hand injury. … Panthers left wings Cory Stillman (knee) and Rostislav Olesz (flu) are expected to return on Thursday, while Dmitry Kulikov (knee), Kenndal McArdle (shoulder) and David Booth (concussion) are out.

Stat Pack: Florida's attendance on Sunday of 18,799 was the franchise's second-largest of the season. The Panthers drew 18,802 for their home opener on Oct. 10.

Puck Drop: "I thought the last two games, we got back on our heels a little bit. Early in the third, they started taking it to us. But we showed pretty good composure locking it down and getting back into it late in the third." -- Habs forward Brian Gionta after Wednesday's 2-1 win at Tampa Bay

[k4sum1]

Let's Go Panthers!

[CatWoman34]

LET'S GO PANTHERS!!!

:gap: :dance: :smallFLA:

[Imber]

I'm calling it. Must win. A team a little ahead of us, on the second of a back to back, in our building, with a rested Panthers team. If we can't win a game like this, kiss the season goodbye.

[Imber]

A highlight reel goal by Ballard!

[Imber]

And that's why we're the Panthers. 10 minutes of pressure for us and we get one. 10 seconds of pressure for them and they tie it.

[Imber]

Nice PK boys! They needed 20 seconds to score!

[Imber]

Ugh there are no finishers on this team. We've had 63 chances tonight and Montreal has had two and it's 2-2.

[Imber]

Montreal with their 4th game in 6 nights. Second of a back to back with 18 hours rest. Final game of a 7 game road trip. We've had three games in a week. And we can't beat them? This is garbage.

This point has been edited by Imber: 31 December 2009 - 06:25 PM

[Imber]

Thank goodness we have the first line. They're the only one's that can score on this team.

[Imber]

The delay of game rule needs to go. We just lost the game because of a stupid technicality.

[Imber]

Panthers two minutes for breathing.

[drscruf]

Just tuned in. Why in the name of God is a Habs fan being interviewed on the Panthers telecast? What the PHUQ?

Time for a PP goal...

[drscruf]

Oh Horton. Just shoot it...

[Imber]

This team fucking sucks. Montreal on the 7th game of a road trip, 4th game in 6 nights, 2nd game in 18 hours. There's no more excuses. I'm losing more and more interest in this team every game. What a pathetic excuse for a hockey team. Fire everybody. Kitchen is doing a great job with that defense. They look like a middle school inline team defense, just standing around watching things.

I'm starting to watch other teams a lot more, and it really brings out how shitty this team is. I've watched a lot of Buffalo since that's my girl's team and they are so much better than us it's insane. There is just no skill on this squad. We need a complete overhaul after the first line.

No more excuses. This team is garbage and this kind of result can't be tolerated, given all the circumstances we had going for us.

[drscruf]

Didn't catch much of this game, although I did see the penalty for breathing.

I think the most disappointing thing is that despite the losing streak(s), the playoff chase is so tight that a good run of 4-6 games keeps us in it. And, when they seem to be on the cusp of good things or have an advantage, they squander it.

I would imagine that the crowd was very pro-Habs tonight, but that's the way it is. The way to shut them up is to score early (which they did) and often (which they sort of did, but not until blowing the lead).

It's another blown opportunity in what looks like another groundhog's day of a year.

[Imber]

Panthers with 6 wins at home out of 19 games, worst in the NHL.