Panthers Dominate Rangers and Take 3-2 Series Lead
The Florida Panthers finally managed to get a much needed win at home to take a 3-2 lead in the up and down series. Roloston finally had an 'off' game and the Panthers wasted no time scoring 0:08 seconds into he 1st period. Mike Modano finally got going in this series and had a great game. Modano collected a goal and an assist en route to the 6-1 victory.
Jonathan Sim was the unsung hero getting a goal with only 2 minutes of icetime. It is heart like this that might just see Sim get more icetime as the playoffs continue on.
Moving Handzus up and Jokinen down to the 3rd line has made all the difference in this series. Since GM Penney made trhe changes, the Panthers have won 3 stright games and now lead the series.
The Panthers can wrap up the series when they go on the ROAD on Sunday night. The Panthers are a perfect 4-0 on the road in the playoffs. They have a 3-2 record at home.
Goalie Statistics
Dwayne Roloson (RAN), 16 saves out of 21 shots, L, 6-5-0
Mika Noronen (RAN), 4 saves out of 5 shots
Evgeni Nabokov (PAN), 27 saves out of 28 shots, W, 6-2-0
Power Play Conversions
RANGERS 1 for 4
PANTHERS 1 for 3
Game Stars
1 - Mike Modano (PAN)
2 - Evgeni Nabokov (PAN)
3 - Michal Handzus (PAN)
Gretzky Conference - Game 5 Score
