Gameday, Panthers @ Blue Jackets, L (1-4, one empty net)

After one period the Panthers trail 1-0. The game started off very badly. The Panthers were so flat!! That goal was on a 2 on 1 breakaway after a broken play. They did step it up a bit, but were unable to score on a 5 on 3 that lasted 1:15. I'm really getting concerned, not gonna lie.

José stopped 5 of 6 shots on goal.

Well, after 2 the Panthers now trail 2-0. But as Frank of The Rat Trick said, "It would be 5-0 if not for Theo." They made FOUR stupid penalties in a short span of time, and in large part due to José they killed 3 of them. One goal snuck through a bunch of traffic though.

José stopped 14 of 15 shots.

Disappointing doesn't cover it. José deserves better than what his team is giving him. If not for him and Clem this team would be in 12th place, simple as that. He saved 25 of 28. And I can admit one of those goals was soft. But when your team has expected miracles out of you every game for...oh, the past month, it's going to wear on you. He's human. He's still been their saving grace.

Back at 'em Sunday in Detroit. The only positive there is that the Red Wings recently lost to Columbus also (by the way, Columbus is at the bottom of the NHL standings, no lie.)

Gameday, Panthers @ Wild, 2-3 (OT)

It will be José vs. Backy tonight in Minnesota. Memories...

It was a scoreless first period. José saved all 13 shots he faced.

The Panthers scored on a PP (I won't mention that it was a bad call that led to their PP...) so they lead after 2 periods, 1-0. José had a quiet period...4 shots. But he had to be really sharp for at least 2 of those, especially after not seeing a shot for such a long time.

I'm honestly so disappointed in the outcome of this game I can't even write anything about it. Lead lost with 30 seconds left in the game. Lost in OT. José saved 22 of 25 shots. That's honestly all I can say. He's 22-14-10, with a 2.36 GAA and .920 SV%. And he deserves better than what his team is giving him lately.

José is Appreciative of His Time in Minnesota

From On Frozen Pond by George Richards

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Jose Theodore will be back in net for the Panthers on Thursday, returning to Minnesota after spending last season here as Niklas Backstrom's backup.

Theodore said he has nothing but good memories of his short stint with the Wild as he thanked the organization for the opportunity.

Despite going 30-7-7 with the Capitals in 2009-10, Theodore had no offers to play in 2010-11 until the Wild needed a backup after Josh Harding got hurt just as the season was starting.

Theodore had a strong season in Minnesota – current Panthers teammate and former Wild mate John Madden said he was the team's MVP most nights he played – and eventually signed a two-year deal with the Panthers on July 1.

“I got to see some of the trainers before practice and I have great memories here,'' said Theodore, who also took part in the 2004 All-Star Game here. “This is a city that's been good to me. And I think I'm in Florida here because they gave me a chance to play.''

The Day After

I didn't get my entry updated last night after the game, so I'll just make a new one.

The Panthers won!! It had to go to another shootout, but at least a Panther scored in the shootout, and they won! The Panther who scored was Wolski, and he had a beauty of a shot. The most fun part to me was that right after the OT period ended, he went over to José on the bench and started talking to him. And we all knew he was asking José's advice or talking to him about his shot, or something, and they talked for a few minutes. And of course I screen captured it, becaues it was awesome. But the announcers were talking about it, and the Panthers tweeter mentioned it. It's like José helped them win, even from the bench!

And then Mel shared a photo of La Presse's Sports section today. The headline just says something about the Habs having 5 more games.

Gameday, Panthers @ Canadiens, W, 3-2 (SO) (Clemmensen in goal)

It's pretty sure that Clemmensen is the starter tonight. He was the first off the ice.

Val had the opportunity to see practice today, and talked to him afterwards. And she shared her photo! Thanks, Val!

Gameday, Panthers @ Canadiens, 7:30 EST (No goalie announcement)

I would honestly not be surprised if Clemmensen got the start tonight. José just doesn't have a great record against Montreal in his career. But he did have a really good start to the New Year's Eve game...until he was injured. So we'll see what Dineen decides. Whichever goalie is in goal, the Panthers HAVE to score more. It's a MUST! The team could wrap up their playoff spot while on this 4-game road trip, but they have to start winning games and getting those 2 points.

The Caps are 3 points behind right now, and Ottawa and Buffalo are also fighting for that 8th playoff spot. So it's between those 4 teams, and there are only 3 spots. If the Panthers would slip out of 1st in their division, which guarantees them a playoff spot, then it's a toss-up to see if they make it. Big games coming up (and I hate saying BIG, but they really are now.)

Video from Last Night's Game

Thanks to Nelly for recording and sharing these clips from last night.

First is the anthem, when he patted the baby goalies on the head. So cute.



Then a face shower.



And the "shirts off our backs" event from after the game. It was so cute how the woman kissed him on both cheeks and seemed so excited! Who wouldn't be?