from George Richards of the Miami Herald,

The Panthers may technically be in the hunt for a playoff spot and are just a few points back of being part of Stanley Cup chase next month.

It just doesn’t feel like it right now.

On Tuesday, it sure didn’t look like it.

Florida’s downward spiral continued in ugly fashion Tuesday as the New York Rangers ran out to a three-goal lead and handed the Panthers yet another home loss — this one 5-2 at BB&T Center.

The Panthers, who for big portions of the night didn’t look like they wanted to be on the ice, have lost six of their past seven home games.

Florida is a meager 1-5-1 (getting three of an available 14 points in the standings) since getting South Florida excited about their playoff chances with a 5-0 Western trip.

Feels like last year, not last month.

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