Game Preview: Florida Panthers @ Buffalo Sabres

The Russian Rocket, Pavel Bure scored 58 goals, 94 points and over 23 per cent of his team's overall goal total in 2000 to march the Florida Panthers into the postseason. That year is in the history books and the Panthers haven't been back to the playoffs since one of the best game-breakers ever donned their colors. Olli Jokinen had some great seasons in Florida, but he was no Bure.

And imagine if they had hung on to Roberto Luongo or even Craig Anderson. You can't get anywhere without offense though and this group is ahead of the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference. Anyone else? Sorry, no dice. Struggling times are occurring for this organization. We can sympathize because we're no stranger to it.

Buffalo has ended a three-year playoff absence which was considered brutal. Imagine how the Panthers supporters are consoling themselves, if they are. A decade without a playoff berth is unimaginable. To put it in Sabres perspective, the last time Florida made the postseason, Miroslav Satan was still Buffalo's sniper.

Yeah.

Ten additional thoughts on the game:

• I understand how Tomas Vokoun must feel because the Czech goaltender has really enjoyed constructed a fabulous season for himself. Second in save percentage (.927), tenth in goals against average (2.45) and second in shutouts (7). See, Buffalo took advantage of their spectacular goaltending unlike the Panthers. Help out your goaltender please.
  
• Ryan Miller's strategy for a penalty shot or break-away is flawless. Coming way out of his crease, he takes away the angle and backs up casually to make the save. Is there anyone better in a one-on-one situation? Miller stopped a penalty shot from Marco Sturm on Monday with complete control and has been beaten once on 11 attempts in his career. 
• Bryan McCabe is zeroing in on 500 career points; always a nice feat for anyone. As long as we're strolling down memory lane in this preview, here's a clip showing one of McCabe's finest goals in Buffalo. 
• For anyone who's broadcasting this game: Tim Kennedy, Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis. Get those names right and you're already doing a better job than Versus and Joe Beninati. A glance at how demanding broadcasting can be. And we thought the Panthers were struggling. 
• David Booth's second concussion from a hit puts an end to an unlucky season. I suppose you create your own luck and he should have kept his head up, but it's frustrating to be helpless in your team's playoff aspirations. A great young talent, Booth is a building block for this Panthers organization and we look forward to seeing him next season.
  
• Raffi Torres is the closest to returning from his minor injury and skated with the team for practice. Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly are still taking it by the day while Patrick Kaleta is hopeful to be prepared for the postseason. Our wrecking ball can't be sidelined for the playoffs.
• Tim Tyler Myers collected two more points in Boston tying him with John Tavares for second in rookie scoring and putting him within seven of Matt Duchene. Step aside Barret Jackman, you'll no longer be the last defenseman to win the influential award.
  
• Seventh overall pick in the 2004 Entry Draft, Rostislav Olesz reminds me of Ales Kotalik. These two are the same size, hail from the same country and lack consistency in their repertoires. Olesz is flirting with the 'draft bust' moniker.
  
• Of the three kids, Nathan Gerbe was the most noticeable against the Bruins as he started the play which led to Paul Gaustad's goal by sending a crisp pass up the middle. Don't judge a book by its cover or in this case, height. Gerbe's got a massive heart and that can't be overlooked.
  
• Third liners Gerbe, Gaustad and Mike Grier are known as the G-Unit trio. One of our readers, Monotonousblob, came up with that nickname. Be sure to thank him in the comments or later on in the game thread for that speck of genius.
  

With their impressive overtime win in Washington, the Ottawa Senators have informed us that they won't hand over the Northeast Division. While they won't lose it themselves, all the Buffalo Sabres can do is worry about their own play and do their best. It's gotten them this far.