We hear it at every football game, the home crowd chanting; Defense, Defense. That chant could be replacing “Lets go Panthers” during home games this year. With the trading of Olli Jokinen, the team’s captain and leading scorer for several years, for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton, it’s obvious the Panthers are focusing on keeping the puck out of their net more than putting it in the opponents net. Only time will tell if this is the right move, but with Ballard and Boynton joining Bouwmeester and Allen, playing in front of the solid goaltending of Vokoun and Anderson the Panthers should no longer fall victim to those late game meltdowns that have cost them the playoffs for the past 3 years.

This is a good team, three straight winning seasons proves that. We also know that once you get into the playoffs the teams with the better defense usually go further. However with Carolina, Atlanta and Washington already sporting scoring stars, and Tampa Bay adding a surge of offense to already compliment their 2 superstars, the Panthers defense will be tested early and often. The South East division will be tougher this year than ever before. All 5 teams have a realistic shot at the playoffs, and the Panthers enter with more questions than answers. Can they follow the system of new coach Peter DeBoer?

Can they tighten up one of the shakiest defenses in the NHL? For several years the Panthers can thank their success to the goaltending, most of who face the most shots in the NHL of any goaltenders. Finally who will step up and score? Will Horton break out and become an elite scorer? Can Weiss stay healthy; will Olesz and Booth improve on last years progress? We will see. So cut out the D and fence posts Panther fans, were going to need them.

First post on Lets Go Panthers. More to come soon.