Fifteen: Florida (4th Atlantic)

Coach Gerard Gallant seems to put out a good system for his group of players. This could be a statement year for him. Overall, with Aleksander Barkov C in the line-up, the Panthers have a shot at making a run in the playoffs. Good leadership and good chemistry on a team with youth and veterans can be very positive down the stretch - barring injuries, of course. Jaromir Jagr RW continues to impress, at 43. The youngsters on defense, Aaron Ekblad D, 19 and Erik Gudbranson D, 23, should be making an impact for years to come!

Record: 18 - 12 - 4 40pts ( projected: 21 - 14 - 5 47pts)

Significant Injuries:
Dave Bolland C
Nick Bjugstad C

These two are very valuable for playoff success. Bolland is out with a sickness - so this should be temporary. Bjugstad is out until after Christmas and that could cost them a point or two.

Next Fifteen Days 12/22/2015 - 1/5/2015:
Tuesday Ottawa visits
Sunday Columbus visits
Tuesday Montreal visits
Saturday New York Rangers visit
Sunday Minnesota visits
Tuesday at Buffalo

Three must-wins and three other could-wins, Florida is poised for a great stretch. If not, they might sink back into the middle-tier and fighting for the playoffs.

7 out of 12pts

3 - 2 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/7/2015 - 12/21/2015:
LOSS 2 - 4 Ottawa
WIN 4 - 1 Washington
LOSS 1 - 3 at Boston
WIN 5 - 1 at New York Islanders
WIN 5 - 1 at New Jersey
WIN 2 - 0 at Carolina
WIN 5 - 4 (SO) Vancouver

5 - 2 - 0

10 out of 14pts

This was a good fifteen days. Losses to both Boston and Ottawa could be bad at season's end - they are direct competition for playoff spots.