Coach Pete DeBoer gave the team the day off Wednesday, after a hard-fought 2-1 loss in Philadelphia on Tuesday night that put a serious crimp in its playoff hopes.
DeBoer said he hasn't decided which goalie will start Thursday against the Thrashers. Tomas Vokoun has started the past two games, but DeBoer seemed unhappy that Vokoun surrendered a third-period goal to the Flyers that was the difference. Of course, the Panthers got off only five shots and could not score in a must-win situation during the third, so Vokoun wasn't solely to blame.
''I'll make that decision [Wednesday night],'' DeBoer said. ``It's not about individual play. I've said this for weeks: It's about getting wins. We have to be better than the guy at the other end at all positions..''
THERE'S A CHANCE
DeBoer reiterated his stance that if the Panthers win their final two games, they will make the playoffs. Florida not only needs to win twice, but needs help. If Montreal gets one point in its final two games (at Boston, against Pittsburgh), the Canadiens will beat out the Panthers. The New York Rangers would edge out Florida with a victory in their final two game (road and home games against the Flyers).
''We win our last two, we'll get in,'' DeBoer said. ``I don't know how. I don't know who is going to lose. We've dealt with the scoreboard watching the past few weeks, seeing who was falling and rising in the standings. At the end of the day, you don't have any control over it.''
? Center Kamil Kreps missed Tuesday's game because of the flu but is expected to return Thursday.
DeBoer said he hasn't decided which goalie will start Thursday against the Thrashers. Tomas Vokoun has started the past two games, but DeBoer seemed unhappy that Vokoun surrendered a third-period goal to the Flyers that was the difference. Of course, the Panthers got off only five shots and could not score in a must-win situation during the third, so Vokoun wasn't solely to blame.
''I'll make that decision [Wednesday night],'' DeBoer said. ``It's not about individual play. I've said this for weeks: It's about getting wins. We have to be better than the guy at the other end at all positions..''
THERE'S A CHANCE
DeBoer reiterated his stance that if the Panthers win their final two games, they will make the playoffs. Florida not only needs to win twice, but needs help. If Montreal gets one point in its final two games (at Boston, against Pittsburgh), the Canadiens will beat out the Panthers. The New York Rangers would edge out Florida with a victory in their final two game (road and home games against the Flyers).
''We win our last two, we'll get in,'' DeBoer said. ``I don't know how. I don't know who is going to lose. We've dealt with the scoreboard watching the past few weeks, seeing who was falling and rising in the standings. At the end of the day, you don't have any control over it.''
? Center Kamil Kreps missed Tuesday's game because of the flu but is expected to return Thursday.
