Panthers arrive on hot streak
NEW YORK — Over the past 17 years, the Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers have usually spent their spring in the same frame of mind.
Neither team is looking forward to an early vacation this season, however, as their game Thursday night at Nationwide Arena holds plenty of playoff intrigue for two of the hottest teams in the NHL.
The Blue Jackets have won nine consecutive games and seven in a row at home to help solidify their playoff standing. The Panthers have gone 18-5-1 since January and woke up Wednesday a point back of New Jersey for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
“They are one of the hottest teams over the past couple of months here,” Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “We got through (New York), now we worry about the next one and go from there."
Since the Blue Jackets joined the NHL in 2000, they have been in the playoffs three times. During that span, the Panthers have made it twice. Not too long ago it appeared both teams would compete for a playoff spot with one making it and one not, but it now looks like both could get in.
The Panthers have 81 points with 11 games remaining as they fight to make the playoffs for the first time since winning the Atlantic Division two seasons ago. Florida has played two fewer games than the Devils and three fewer than Philadelphia and the Jackets.
“If you ask the guys, they’re having the time of their lives right now,” Florida coach Bob Boughner said. “We’re playing meaningful games right now. Let’s face it, we have been playing playoff hockey for the past couple of months. We’re just trying to dig in, scrape for points every night. We’re playing our best at the right time.”
Tortorella went out of his way Monday to praise backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo by going into the locker room at TD Center in Boston to shake his hand after he made 34 saves in a 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins.
Korpisalo is earning more and more trust from Tortorella and the Jackets.
The victory was his third consecutive win. Beating Boston also brought the Jackets their 14th overtime win this season. Korpisalo has four of them.
“These have been huge games for us to play,” said Korpisalo, who could get his next start in western Canada next week. “I feel good right now. Five, six weeks ago, it was a struggle for me. I was fighting the puck, my confidence was low. Getting these wins has been big for the team and big for me. These are the games you want to be playing in. We’re all enjoying it.”