Michael Russo's short takes: Feb. 24

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: February 23, 2008 - 11:01 PM

The Florida Panthers are the East's most consistent team. Year after year, no matter who's playing, coaching or managing -- or beat writing -- no team executes a third-period meltdown better than the Panthers.

Last week against Carolina, the Panthers had a chance to tie Carolina for first in the division. Instead, they blew a two-goal, third-period lead and lost in regulation, the first of three consecutive blown two-goal, third-period leads for losses.

If the Panthers, who haven't won a playoff round since the 1996 Eastern Conference finals, miss again, coach/GM Jacques Martin is a goner.

And don't be surprised if the next GM of the Panthers is Joe Nieuwendyk.

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Former Gophers winger Thomas Vanek has 14 goals in the past 17 games for Buffalo (11-4-2). Why the turnaround? His $50 million contract was weighing on him. "I just felt like, you know, relax," Vanek said.

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With Columbus on a 2-5-3 stretch, Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock let the team practice by itself in Ottawa: "We walked out. We went for coffee." The Jackets responded with a 3-2 shootout victory in Ottawa.

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Flames GM Darryl Sutter doesn't listen to trade rumors: "It's like listening to a magpie in the morning -- as long as it doesn't wake the kids up, it don't bother me."

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