Dominic Moore, above, and Gregory Campbell are wearing masks to protect facial injuries, and both have teased linemate Radek Dvorak to wear one out of unity.

NOTEBOOK

Masked men seek identity for Florida Panthers

For a fleeting moment, Radek Dvorak considered asking the Panthers' equipment staff to pack an extra metal-cage helmet before boarding the plane for Boston. You know, team unity and everything.

Panthers looking for tough edge in claiming Steve McIntyre

The Panthers went after some toughness Tuesday, but Steve McIntyre isn't expected to play the role of team enforcer for at least a few weeks.

Florida Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov celebrates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during an NHL hockey game on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Florida Panthers' Dmitry Kulikov feels more a part of team

On the ice for the first time since the first two-point game of his young career, Dmitry Kulikov said his performance was past due.

Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen (30) looks back at the puck in the net that went for a goal by Washington Capitals' Tomas Fleischmann during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Washington. The Capitals won 7-4.

Florida Panthers goalie puts blame on team's defensive play

Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen took his lumps during a third-period meltdown Saturday night as he surrendered five goals of a 7-4 loss to the host Capitals. After the game, he placed much of the blame on Florida's defensive deficiencies.

Washington Capitals center Tomas Fleischmann, right, scores a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen (30) and Florida Panthers defenseman Bryan McCabe (24) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Washington. The Capitals won 7-4.

CAPITALS 7, PANTHERS 4

Capitals score five goals late against Florida Panthers

For his third start in a row, Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen struggled, giving up five goals in the third period alone but was not pulled from the game.

Florida Panthers suffering outages on power-play attempts

In the latter stages of Friday night's game, Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said there was discussion to pull goalie Tomas Vokoun during Florida's five minute power play chance.

The Florida Panthers' Keith Ballard tangles with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby in the first period of an NHL hockey game on Sunday, April 5, 2009 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise.

NHL Extra | Around the ice

The Panthers have three members of the University of Minnesota's 2001 national championship team on their roster. What's it like being reunited with Jordan Leopold and Jeff Taffe?

CAPITALS 4, PANTHERS 1

Blown chances end Florida Panthers' win streak

The Panthers couldn't take advantage of Alex Ovechkin's absence and a five-minute power play, falling to the Caps after three victories in a row. Photo Gallery Available

Dvorak dons knee brace, skates with teammates

Radek Dvorak didn't need surgery on his left knee, but he will have to wear a brace for a while. The Panthers' veteran winger is fine with the hindrance -- so long as he can play as soon as possible.

Panthers defenseman Bryan McCabe will play in the
1,000th game of his NHL career Friday night.

Florida Panthers' Bryan McCabe coming up on milestone

Bryan McCabe remembers his first NHL game with pure clarity.

``It was Boston in Boston,'' the Panthers defenseman said Thursday, recalling his debut on Oct. 7, 1995. ``I remember being across from Ray Bourque and my legs were shaking during the anthem. I was in the starting lineup. It was a dream come true. I think I had 10 penalty minutes for tripping and hooking and stuff.''

The Florida Panthers' Nathan Horton in the third period in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise on November 4 st, 2009.

Horton getting praise for improved performance

There are plenty of detractors who have been vocal in their belief winger Nathan Horton doesn't play with passion or gives it his all. Photo Gallery Available

The Carolina Hurricanes' Aaron Ward checks Gregory Campbell in the second period in a game against the Florida Panthers at Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise on November 4, 2009.

PANTHERS 3, HURRICANES 0

Fortuitous Panthers benefit from some `lucky' bounces

Steven Reinprecht scored a goal on a fluke play and Cory Stillman added another off an errant bounce for the Panthers, who profited from crashing the net. Photo Gallery Available

Reinprecht helps lift offense

Sometimes all it takes to break out of a scoring drought is a reminder.

A reminder that good shots don't always carom off the post or the goalie's blocker. Or that it doesn't take a perfect shot to find the red light.

Florida Panthers coach hopes turnaround has started

Things can turn around pretty quickly in hockey, especially early in a season.

The Panthers sure hope that's the case for them.

Florida, after losing eight of its first 10, has won two consecutive games for the first time this season. The Panthers beat Dallas in a shootout 6-5 Friday, then turned around and blanked the host Blues 4-0 on Saturday.

"He knows what to expect because he's played for me, so he has an advantage there," said Panthers coach Peter DeBoer of rookie forward Victor Oreskovich.

Florida Panthers coach shows faith in rookie forward

Two days removed from his NHL debut, Victor Oreskovich was still as elated to be a Panther on Monday as he was when he walked into the visitors' locker room at Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Saturday to meet his new teammates.

PANTHERS 4, BLUES 0

Offensive surge boosts Florida Panthers to victory

Tomas Vokoun stopped 34 shots to end his 0-7-1 slump as the Panthers beat the St. Louis Blues. The win gave Florida a two-game winning streak. Photo Gallery Available

Florida Panthers' Victor Oreskovich caps comeback bid with NHL debut

Defenseman Keaton Ellerby and right wing Victor Oreskovich arrived in St. Louis from Rochester of the American Hockey League in time to join the Florida Panthers. Ellerby was called up just in case Bryan Allen couldn't play because of injury.

Dallas Stars goalie Alex Auld (31) looks on as Florida Panthers defenseman Bryan McCabe (24), defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (4), center Stephen Weiss, third from left, and another teammate congratulate center Steve Reinprecht (27) on his third goal in the first period Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, in Dallas.

PANTHERS 6, STARS 5 (SO)

Florida Panthers blow two leads but prevail in shootout

Steve Reinprecht scored three times in the first period and Rostislav Olesz had the only goal of the shootout as the Panthers blew two leads before winning.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

Source: Florida Panthers owner in talks to step down as managing partner

Alan Cohen is in talks to bow out as general partner and let two of the minority owners run the Panthers.

History magnifies slow start for Florida Panthers

For starters, the Panthers are not good ones.

It has been eight seasons since Florida has been above .500 after 10 games. The same amount of time has passed since the last time the Panthers were above .500 after the first two months of the season.