Said coach Guy Boucher: "From the beginning to the end, just off in every aspect — offense, defense, hitting, we weren't first on the puck, and when we did, we gave it away, guys falling everywhere.

"It's a tribute to (the Panthers). At the same time, by far our worst, worst outing. The mix of the two was just a catastrophe, and that's what it was."


"I was trying to shake something. I didn't shake much," Boucher said. "There are 82 games. There are going to be about 10 of those. Let's hope the next one is far away."

At least Lecavalier's knuckle was in one piece, though very red and swollen.

"It's a tough one to swallow after two big games against Montreal and Philly," he said while flexing his hand. "We have to make sure it doesn't happen again."