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Chicago at last season's level

Florida won last round, but struggle with scoring which could be a problem against Chicago's mighty defense

Florida recorded their third win this season - against powerful Minnesota 2-1 after the penalty shootout. Despite winning, they played a bad and non-creative offense once again (only 15 shots on goal compared to Minnesota's 30). Veteran Thomas, who saved 30 shots, was their hero. He is gradually getting in the same form he was in while playing for the Bruins, when he was league's best goalie. The Panthers were on five power plays, but scored from only one at the beginning of the third period when Brov scored an equalizer.

- I'm feeling more comfortable there. I'm feeling progressively better as of right now. I thought I felt really good in preseason, and I even felt good through Dallas [in the season opener]. And then we had a couple of rough games there and then I got that little injury. But now I can feel my movement getting better and getting used to games. There's nothing like a game. You can do all the practices you want, but you need game time - Thomas said. 

They face no easier challenge today - they are playing the champion who are a much better than Minnesota. The Panthers will not longer have the luxury of missing on all the power play opportunities they get, Chicago are a much more efficient team who punish every mistake. Thomas will play an important role again, but he's not almighty. Boyes, Huberdau, Kopecky, and Barkov have to figure out how to score at least two or three goals, nothing less will do if they want to get the points.

Coach Dineen still can't count on captain and defender Jovanovski, and forward Pinizzoto.

Chicaco are playing extremely well lately. The defeat to St. Louis after regulation team didn't affect them much, and they beat might Maple Leafs home in the following game, allowing them to score only once.

They won four out of last five games, and after lagging behind at the start of the season, they reached their last season level when they  were destroying which ever team they met and won the title. Toronto stood no chance, Chicago had 20 shots on goal more, they killed five out of six penalties, and were a genuinely better team on the whole. The game was settled in the second period when the Hawks scored three goals, and Leafs only one.

- I think that's basically the plan, work his way up knowing that we feel he can be that type of guy that can play top minutes with top guys. The other part [defensively], [is] working his way up through that part of it - coach Quenneville said about his young forward Pirram.

Surprisingly, they didn't open the season well penalty killing vise - it's still not good, but they manage  to make up for it with good power play (20%). Their defense line shouldn't be under that much pressure against Florida . they don't have that much power which will give Chicago the chance to put all of their talent on display. They play role of favorite in this game.

Only Rozsuval is injured, but that is not a big issue.

Florida are hosting strong defensive team again, the defending champions Chicago. The visiting team are maybe the best defensive team in the league as they have shown lately by playing great defense. Florida are a rather weak team with humble offensive potential and I do not see how they can score over two goals in this game. They did not score three goals against teams of Chicago's caliber (Boston, LA) that play tough defense and I do not think they will today either. Last game they surprised Minnesota with tough defense and took the game into overtime and I think such thing might happened today again and that is why I believe that their under is much better bet. Chicago do not play games with many shots on goal, they come to play tough defense and today Florida will have a difficult time scoring over two goals and I do not wish to forecast the final result because it mostly depends on Florida's defensive performance.