Richard Zednik is becoming more and more important to the Panthers playoff push with each passing game. Zednik has been the catalyst in several of Florida’s recent games, sparking comebacks and scoring game tying or winning goals. Tonight, Zednik was a little late with his goal, but better late than never sometimes. Zednik scored the only goal in a SO tonight to lift the Panthers over the NY Rangers and into a tie for 6th place in the Eastern Conference.

The game was a very tough, grind it out type of game that featured a lot of offensive pressure with little result. The Rangers struck first, slamming home a rebound with2:46 left in the 1st period to take a 1-0 lead after one period despite being outshot 15-11 by the Panthers.

The 2nd period was an evenly matched affair with both teams getting 11 shots on goal and some good scoring chances, but Florida would be the only team to score. Michael Frolik stuffed home a rebound opportunity 2:37 into the 2nd period to tie the game at 1-1. The teams would play goalless hockey for the entire 3rd period and overtime despite 30 shots on goal between the two.

In a game highlighted by fantastic goaltending, it was fitting that the game would head to a shoot out to determine the winner. Both goaltenders had fantastic games in goal with Tomas Vokoun stopping 34 of 35 shots and NY’s Henrik Lundqvist stopped 42 of 43 shots he faced. In overtime, both goalies would take their fantastic play into the shoot out.

Lundqvist stopped 2 of the first 3 attempts Florida had on net. Vokoun stopped the first 3 NY attempts on net. At this point Richard Zednik decided it was time to end this. With the 4 attempt in the shoot out, Zednik beat Lundqvist and Vokoun made his 4th save in the shoot out to give Florida the 2-1 win.

The Panthers are playing incredible hockey at the perfect time of the season, propelling themselves closer and closer to the playoffs. The team is 12-3-3 since January 1st and are now in a 3-way tie for 6th place in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers are certainly making a strong push for the playoffs and it will be an intense finish to the season as Florida chases their first playoff appearance in 8 seasons.