from George Richards of On Frozen Pond,

During the second period Saturday night, a rubber rat was flung from the far reaches of a jam-packed arena, bouncing on the ice before being scooped up by an official.

Don't look now, but the Florida Panthers may just be back.

The Panthers, who captivated South Florida during a rat-tossing run to the Stanley Cup Finals 20 years ago, set a franchise record with their eight consecutive victory -- this one 3-0 over the Rangers in front of their third-biggest home crowd ever.

Florida retook first place in the Atlantic Division with the victory, its 14th in 17 games as it beat the Rangers for the first time in eight tries.

For a franchise which has only been to the playoffs four times in its history and hasn't won a postsason series since its magical run in 1996, things are very good.

"We're a long way from that, but it's a lot of fun,'' said coach Gerard Gallant, whose team goes for its ninth consecutive win Sunday against visiting Minnesota.

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