from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,
The Florida Panthers, to me, anyway, began the post All-Star schedule as the only Eastern Conference team currently on the outside of the playoffs looking in with any chance of making it into the postseason. I still feel that way, but the Panthers wasted a chance right off the hop Tuesday night, rallying from a 5-2 deficit but still losing 5-4 to the visiting Detroit Red Wings despite outshooting them 41-27.
I say "wasted a chance" because the Washington Capitals dropped their fourth straight game (0-3-1), this time a 4-3 road decision to the injury-riddled Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Panthers still have two games in hand on the suddenly struggling Caps, but they have to make them count. They remain seven points back of the Caps for a wild-card spot, when they could have cut into that lead with a win Tuesday night. Yes, the Panthers have three games in hand on Boston as well -- the Bruins are also seven points up and holding the other wild-card spot -- but I think the Bruins are going to take off now and aren't a realistic target for Florida. I still think the Panthers have a shot, but they've got to get on a roll very soon.
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