SUNRISE, FLA –
First things first.
Last March the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers were neck and neck for a playoff position down the stretch run. Neither made it to post-season play.
The difference between a year ago and this March? Barring a colossal collapse by either, both teams are locking into two of the eight playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers, no longer pushovers, have held the top spot in the division for most of 2016. But losing four of their last five and going 4-4-2 in their last 10, while Tampa Bay has taken nine of their last ten pushed the ‘Cats off their perch and into second place.