Connect with us

Florida

Rangers know what they have and what they’re lacking against Panthers

Published

on

Rangers know what they have and what they’re lacking against Panthers


SUNRISE — It has reached a point in a series that will extend to at least six games after three games extended to overtime that the New York Rangers know what they have against the Florida Panthers.

And what they don’t have.

Igor Shesterkin? The reason after arguably being dominated in three of the series’ first four games that the Rangers find themselves tied 2-2 in this best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals Stanley Cup series that now is headed back to Madison Square Garden for Thursday night’s Game 5.

The New York goaltender has been sublime.

Advertisement

Alexis Lafreniere? At the moment the face of the Rangers offense, with his tying goal in Tuesday night’s third period forcing the overtime that ended in the Panthers’ 3-2 victory at Amerant Bank Arena.

Lafreniere in the loss became the fifth player in franchise history with at least seven goals in a postseason before age 23, joining Alex Kovalev, Filip Chytil, Don Maloney and Don Murdoch.

The problem for the Rangers is that previous leading men Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad remain missing in action in the series.

Save for tossing Matthew Tkachuk’s mouthpiece into the stands, Kreider again was a non-factor Tuesday night.

“We’ve got to do a better job of advancing pucks up the ice and establishing O-zone presence,” Kreider said. “A lot of that falls on me. I’ve got to be able to get in there and win pucks, get my body on pucks, move my feet and allow us to get up the ice and start rolling.”

Advertisement

As for Zibanejad, his overtime turnover led to Blake Wheeler’s penalty that led to Sam Reinhart’s winning goal — hardly the type of tic-tac-toe typically expected from Zibanejad.

“I should have probably just made a different play, or decision, but I made the decision there then. I can’t change it now,” Zibanejad said. “That’s sports. Just come back and try to make another decision next time and hope it goes my way.”

With Kreider and Zibanejad, it continues to be trial and error. This time, with Chytil held out amid his injury return, the Rangers opened with Jack Roslovic on the top line, before eventually cycling to Kaapo Kakko.

For the first half of Tuesday night’s game, the debate was whether Shesterkin was impenetrable, swallowing a backhand breakaway from Evan Rodrigues, foiling a Carter Verhaeghe break in from the left circle, and recovering from a sliding save to deny Alexander Barkov to keep the Panthers scoreless for the first period-plus.

And then? Two the hard way, gritty, grimy goals by Sam Bennett on a failed clear by K’Andre Miller in the crease and Verhaeghe on a bouncing puck directly in front of the net.

Advertisement

From there, even at 2-1 Panthers, it could have been worse, if not for a one-on-one point-blank stop on former Rangers teammate Vladimir Tarasenko early in the third period.

Ultimately, though, the onslaught proved too much, even with Shesterkin coming up with four highlight stops against Barkov.

In the end, too much going in one direction, this time the Rangers without the salvation of the overtime victories in the previous two games.

“We can’t afford lapses like that,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said of his team’s decided dropoff after Tuesday night’s opening period. “I definitely think that we need to be better.”

Florida Panthers win in overtime against New York Rangers | PHOTOS

Advertisement



Source link

Florida

Florida man charged in racially motivated attack plot

Published

on

Florida man charged in racially motivated attack plot


Federal agents arrested a 20-year-old Sarasota man after finding Nazi propaganda, pipe bombs, guns, ammunition, a pressure cooker, and instructions for making explosives inside his home. Investigators also discovered an index card outlining plans for a racially motivated attack, including placing motion-activated bombs for police. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

FTBOA Partners With Florida Coast Equipment

Published

on

FTBOA Partners With Florida Coast Equipment


Florida Coast Equipment has entered into a partnership agreement with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association making Kubota the exclusive tractor, mower, utility vehicle, and construction equipment sponsor of the Florida Thoroughbred industry, starting in 2026.

The long-term agreement, announced Dec. 23, places Florida Coast Equipment and the Kubota brand front and center to Florida’s Thoroughbred industry, a $3.2 billion industry with more than 90,000 Thoroughbreds and 33,500 jobs.

The Florida Coast Equipment name will now be prominently displayed throughout the FTBOA headquarters, events, and communications, including an advertising package on FTBOA.com, Wire to Wire, and the Florida Horse Farm and Services Directory.

“This partnership goes beyond sponsorship. Florida Coast Equipment is proud to serve as the local dealer of choice for Florida’s Thoroughbred community—working alongside breeders and owners every day with the equipment, service, and support they rely on,” said Florida Coast Equipment online sales manger Timothy Morris Jr. “Both the FTBOA and Florida Coast Equipment are deeply rooted in Florida agriculture and share a commitment to long-term relationships, stewardship, and doing things the right way. That shared mindset is what makes this partnership a natural fit and positions it for lasting impact across the industry.”

Advertisement

“When it comes to horsepower, nobody knows it better than Florida’s Thoroughbred industry, and the team at Florida Coast Equipment and Kubota,” FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell said. “This partnership unites two pillars of Florida agriculture, and we couldn’t ask for a better fit.”

Sign up for

This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.





Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

Preview: December 23 vs. Florida | Carolina Hurricanes

Published

on

Preview: December 23 vs. Florida | Carolina Hurricanes


RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers square off for the second time in five days on Tuesday, going head-to-head at Lenovo Center.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 23

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Advertisement

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Canes Record: 22-10-3 (47 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 6-4 Loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, Dec. 20

Advertisement

Panthers Record: 19-14-2 (40 Points, T-5th – Atlantic Division)

Panthers Last Game: 6-2 Loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, Dec. 20



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending