The Panthers have five games left, starting with Friday's home game against Atlanta, and if they want to make the playoffs, they probably have to win them all.
The Panthers cannot be worried about what the Montreal Canadiens do in their upcoming games, nor can they be overly concerned with what the New York Rangers do.
With five games left on their regular-season schedule, the Panthers are in a race to the finish. Two points back of the final playoff spot, the Panthers know they need a few losses from the teams in front of them to get to the postseason.
But that's not the focus. Winning the games on the schedule is.
Whatever anyone else does is out of Florida's control.
''All we can do is play the games on the ice,'' said defenseman Jassen Cullimore, who won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
``There is a period of the season where there's a lull, what you call the grind. But that's over. Now you don't feel any of that. There are five very important games left. If you can't focus on five games at this time of the year -- and with all that is at stake -- you shouldn't be in the league. This is what we play the whole season for.''
Look at the Panthers and the teams around them, and it appears to be a three-team race for two playoff berths. The Panthers are on the outside looking in, hoping Montreal and the Rangers lose a few games here or there to give Florida a chance.
FOCUS NOT AN ISSUE
Of the Panthers' five remaining games, two are against an Atlanta team that's been out of postseason consideration for months. But that doesn't mean the Thrashers can't compete. On Wednesday night, Atlanta beat Buffalo in overtime, seriously damaging the Sabres' postseason hopes.
If Florida overlooks Atlanta and instead focuses on Sunday's opponent, it could be real sorry. The Panthers promise that won't be the case.
''Focus isn't an issue, and underestimating opponents isn't an issue,'' coach Pete DeBoer said. ``Everyone has a real clear idea of where we're at and what we need to get done. It's handling that pressure the right way and playing our game -- that's all you can ask. We do that for five games, we'll let the chips fall. The fact of where Atlanta is in the standings has no bearing here. We know we have to win games -- win as many as possible.''
Of the teams fighting it out for a playoff spot, the Panthers and Montreal seem to have the easier schedules. The Rangers, who lost at Carolina 4-2 on Thursday night, finish their season with four games against teams within the Eastern Conference's elite eight -- including one against Montreal on Tuesday.
Florida plays Atlanta twice but also has games against playoff-bound Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington.
The Panthers have three of their final five games at home, including two this weekend. Victories in both games, and Florida goes on the road riding a wave of momentum -- and a season-best, five-game winning streak.
''We just have to cut loose and go for it,'' DeBoer said. ``I still find a little hesitation in our game. And I don't know if that's the pressure of the situation or overthinking things. We need to take a carefree approach and go for it here.''
ENDING THE DROUGHT
The Panthers haven't made the playoffs since 2000, the longest active drought by a non-expansion team in the league. Believe it or not, the Panthers have their share of fans throughout the league -- most notably in the Sun Belt states.
If Florida advances to the postseason, that could mean three teams from the much-maligned Southeast Division would be in the playoffs and one of the league's Original Six teams (either the Rangers or Canadiens) would be out.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, also an Original Six team, have long been eliminated from playoff contention.
''Our division has gotten a bad rap, but, hey, Carolina won the Cup; Tampa Bay won the Cup,'' said defenseman Keith Ballard, who came to the Panthers from Phoenix in the offseason.
``It's starting to turn around. I think there are some real good teams in our division. Look at how tough Atlanta is playing right now. It doesn't matter if we're playing Atlanta or Washington. These are our biggest games of the season.''
The Panthers cannot be worried about what the Montreal Canadiens do in their upcoming games, nor can they be overly concerned with what the New York Rangers do.
With five games left on their regular-season schedule, the Panthers are in a race to the finish. Two points back of the final playoff spot, the Panthers know they need a few losses from the teams in front of them to get to the postseason.
But that's not the focus. Winning the games on the schedule is.
Whatever anyone else does is out of Florida's control.
''All we can do is play the games on the ice,'' said defenseman Jassen Cullimore, who won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
``There is a period of the season where there's a lull, what you call the grind. But that's over. Now you don't feel any of that. There are five very important games left. If you can't focus on five games at this time of the year -- and with all that is at stake -- you shouldn't be in the league. This is what we play the whole season for.''
Look at the Panthers and the teams around them, and it appears to be a three-team race for two playoff berths. The Panthers are on the outside looking in, hoping Montreal and the Rangers lose a few games here or there to give Florida a chance.
FOCUS NOT AN ISSUE
Of the Panthers' five remaining games, two are against an Atlanta team that's been out of postseason consideration for months. But that doesn't mean the Thrashers can't compete. On Wednesday night, Atlanta beat Buffalo in overtime, seriously damaging the Sabres' postseason hopes.
If Florida overlooks Atlanta and instead focuses on Sunday's opponent, it could be real sorry. The Panthers promise that won't be the case.
''Focus isn't an issue, and underestimating opponents isn't an issue,'' coach Pete DeBoer said. ``Everyone has a real clear idea of where we're at and what we need to get done. It's handling that pressure the right way and playing our game -- that's all you can ask. We do that for five games, we'll let the chips fall. The fact of where Atlanta is in the standings has no bearing here. We know we have to win games -- win as many as possible.''
Of the teams fighting it out for a playoff spot, the Panthers and Montreal seem to have the easier schedules. The Rangers, who lost at Carolina 4-2 on Thursday night, finish their season with four games against teams within the Eastern Conference's elite eight -- including one against Montreal on Tuesday.
Florida plays Atlanta twice but also has games against playoff-bound Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington.
The Panthers have three of their final five games at home, including two this weekend. Victories in both games, and Florida goes on the road riding a wave of momentum -- and a season-best, five-game winning streak.
''We just have to cut loose and go for it,'' DeBoer said. ``I still find a little hesitation in our game. And I don't know if that's the pressure of the situation or overthinking things. We need to take a carefree approach and go for it here.''
ENDING THE DROUGHT
The Panthers haven't made the playoffs since 2000, the longest active drought by a non-expansion team in the league. Believe it or not, the Panthers have their share of fans throughout the league -- most notably in the Sun Belt states.
If Florida advances to the postseason, that could mean three teams from the much-maligned Southeast Division would be in the playoffs and one of the league's Original Six teams (either the Rangers or Canadiens) would be out.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, also an Original Six team, have long been eliminated from playoff contention.
''Our division has gotten a bad rap, but, hey, Carolina won the Cup; Tampa Bay won the Cup,'' said defenseman Keith Ballard, who came to the Panthers from Phoenix in the offseason.
``It's starting to turn around. I think there are some real good teams in our division. Look at how tough Atlanta is playing right now. It doesn't matter if we're playing Atlanta or Washington. These are our biggest games of the season.''
