Theodore has been cleared to play

The Panthers could have goalie Jose Theodore back defending the nets Sunday against the Islanders, as he has been cleared to play.

Theodore has backed up Scott Clemmensen in the past two games. Florida sent replacement backup Brian Fosterback to AHL San Antonio.

Theodore has missed Florida's past eight games with a sore knee that was originally injured Dec. 31. Theodore came back and played in two games but has been out ever since.

"The knee is really good," Theodore said after Saturday's 3-1 win over the Devils. "Now it's just about getting back out there. I have a couple practices under my belt, so I'm ready."

--The Panthers and Devils are similar-looking teams, so it's no surprise both won two games in the four-game series this season.

"These are two hard-working teams," said Devils coach Pete DeBoer, who was fired by the Panthers last April. "I think we play similar styles and they've been entertaining games."

--Florida improved to 8-16-5 when the opposing team scores first as the Panthers rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat the Devils 3-1. The victory was just Florida's second in its past 15 games in which the opponent scored first.

--D Jason Garrison left Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury. As a precaution, Florida was expected to call up rookie Colby Robak from its AHL affiliate in San Antonio. Robak would make his NHL debut against the Islanders on Sunday.

--LW Sean Bergenheim's goal ended a stretch of three consecutive games in which the Panthers failed to score a power-play goal. That tied the longest stretch of the season.

--The Panthers allowed a goal within the first two minutes for the third straight road game.

--LW Jack Skille could be back in the lineup after missing the past few weeks with a shoulder injury.

--The Panthers are 20-2-4 when they score at least three goals and are 6-15-7 when scoring two goals or fewer.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think the big difference between this group and the ones we have had before is the mental toughness. We had new guys come in from different winning organizations and they know how to play in those situations." -- Goalie Scott Clemmensen after Florida's 3-1 win over the Devils on Saturday.

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