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TV ratings peak

The Panthers' push through the playoffs has resulted in an unprecedented local trend: Panthers games are attracting more TV viewers than Marlins games. Even though the comparison is between Panthers playoff games and Marlins regular-season games, the fact that the Panthers are drawing larger audiences is noteworthy considering the Marlins' ratings were more than five times greater than the Panthers' during the first season for each team. The gap began to close during the past year, and the Panthers now have surged ahead.

Florida confidence high as series returns to Philly

The Panthers and Flyers have boiled the Eastern Conference semifinal down to ``Russian Roulette.'' That's what some hockey folks used to call the high-intensity first-round playoff series back when it was best two out of three. Little time for adjustments and the next mistake could be your last until September.

Philly writers throw elbows, too?

OK, you Philly media geniuses have had your fun portraying us South Floridians as hockey bumpkins. Never mind that at least half of us were NHL fans back when the Flyers turned Red Berenson into an NHL record-holder and there were still Oakland Seals to bludgeon.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Rich Hofmann writes for the Philadelphia Daily News. His byline was incorrect in Saturday's paper.

Playoffs produce unlikely heroes

Panthers center Stu Barnes, waiting for a post-practice ride from left wing Dave Lowry, jokingly compared him to Colorado point factory Joe Sakic. Later, more seriously, so did Panthers General Manager Bryan Murray.

PANTHERS NOTEBOOK
Wounded expected to return

Those players conspicuous by their absence from Game 4 should be back in the lineup for Game 5. Panthers defenseman Robert Svehla, shield on helmet, will be back with his broken nose and bereft of a few teeth after he got an unintentional Eric Lindros skate to the face in the first period.

Deal on sale not likely before lease is signed

Panthers owner H. Wayne Huizenga and Dallas businessman John Spano discussed a deal for the third-year franchise Thursday and then went together to the Panthers/Flyers playoff game at Miami Arena, where rumors of a completed sale were as plentiful as toy rats.