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Panthers-Maple Leafs Preview

Jan 4, 2010 - 8:48 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Florida (17-18-7) at Toronto (14-19-9), 7:00 p.m. EDT

A strong offensive performance helped the Florida Panthers earn a much-needed win in their last game. They've had many such efforts against the Toronto Maple Leafs lately.

Florida will try to continue that trend Tuesday night, opening a three-game road trip in Toronto.

After scoring six goals during a three-game slide, the Panthers matched that output Sunday against visiting Pittsburgh with Radek Dvorak leading the way.

Dvorak scored twice in the final 6:52 to record his third career hat trick and help the Panthers rally for a 6-2 victory. Dvorak had tied the game late in the second period, and Tomas Vokoun shut out the Penguins over the final 41:03.

"We said to ourselves after the first period that we have step up," Dvorak said. "That was not the game we wanted to play."

Dvorak had no goals and two assists over the previous five games as Florida went 1-4-0.

This is the first trip to Canada this season for the Panthers (17-8-7), who visit Montreal on Thursday and Ottawa on Saturday. They haven't won consecutive road games since mid-November.

"We're in a good frame of mind right now," coach Peter DeBoer told the team's official Web site. "I think we're playing well and we've got to carry that into the trip."

Sunday marked the eighth time in 16 games the Panthers (17-18-7) have scored at least four goals. They've totaled just 11 in the other eight games during that span - all losses.

That inconsistency on offense is a big reason Florida has had only one winning streak - three games from Dec. 14-18 - since Thanksgiving.

However, Florida has regularly found the back of the net against the Maple Leafs recently, totaling 31 goals in the past seven meetings and scoring at least three in each.

During that span, the Panthers were 5-0-1 against Toronto before losing the first matchup this season, 6-4 in Florida on Nov. 27. Panthers rookie Dmitry Kulikov scored two of his three career goals in that game, but Vokoun gave up five goals on 32 shots.

Toronto's Phil Kessel and Niklas Hagman each scored twice, including the tying and go-ahead goals in the third period, respectively.

Florida, however, has outscored the Leafs 16-5 while winning three straight at Air Canada Centre. Plus, Toronto has allowed three goals in each game of its current 1-3-2 stretch, including consecutive 3-1 defeats to end a three-game road swing.

Toronto (14-19-9) has lost seven of nine overall, getting outscored 29-18, and failed to capitalize on four power-play chances in Saturday night's loss to Calgary.

"We didn't win any battles for loose pucks," said coach Ron Wilson, whose Leafs were outshot 35-25. "The other team is working hard, and desperate, and when you're not as desperate as they are on the power play, you're not going to be very effective."

Since scoring two power-play goals against Florida, the Maple Leafs are 6 for 55 with the man advantage - 0 for 10 in their past three home games.

Even worse, Toronto lost two centers to injury Saturday. Wayne Primeau will be out at least two weeks after hurting his knee, and Mikhail Grabovski is expected to miss six weeks with a broken wrist.