The Florida Panthers are within reach of the franchise's best record in its 22-year history. The team is 40-23-9 (89 points) with ten games remaining. Florida posted a 43-27-6-6 record (98 points) in 1999-2000.
But don't commend the Panthers on their talent and hard work. They won't believe you. They only believe in their good luck charm: Kevin Spacey.
As rumor has it -- and the players will neither confirm nor deny -- the club met the Oscar-winning actor at a hotel earlier this season. Florida subsequently caught fire, reeling off a 12-game winning streak from Dec. 15-Jan. 10.
To show their appreciation, the Panthers paid tribute to Spacey with a "Spacey in Space" sweatshirt. Beginning on Dec. 29, Panthers started distributing the sweatshirt to the team's player of the game. But its meaning remained a secret.
#FlaPanthers Sasha Barkov rocks the newest and hottest look in Miami: #SpaceyInSpace @Barkovsasha95 pic.twitter.com/qXFA2n8PFv
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) December 30, 2015
Very secretive. When I told Erik Gudbranson I would figure it out, he said "no you won't." So it's #SpaceyInSpace https://t.co/Lk0X8CR5VY
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) December 30, 2015
Only I really know what #SpaceyInSpace means. Hope it continues to bring good luck! -K#FlaPanthers @Barkovsasha95 https://t.co/2hOqoQK9Aw
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) December 30, 2015
"Spacey in Space" gained a cult following in Florida and the team started selling the iconic hoodie for $40, with proceeds going to the Kevin Spacey Foundation and the Florida Panthers Foundation.
But the legend got even better on Saturday night. At the BB&T Center in Sunrise, as they have during recent games, the Panthers gave out "Spacey Facey" masks to fans.
In the second period, the video board panned to one fan in a "Spacey in Space" sweatshirt. When the fan took away his "Spacey Facey" mask…well…it was Kevin Spacey.
NO BLARNEY.
HE'S HERE. #SpaceyInSpace https://t.co/yy2WmFD4z2— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 20, 2016
The Panthers lost the game, 5-3, but they still got to hang with their old friend in the locker room.
Of course Jagr is the only guy with his jersey still on. Probably about to play a double-header. pic.twitter.com/tanKoPTPPM
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) March 20, 2016
Spacey previously teased his trip to South Florida, packing a 1738 Panthers jersey (the team plays Fetty Wap after victories).
No blarney... Spacey IS in space. #FloridaPanthers pic.twitter.com/bQKHhaV8uL
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) March 17, 2016
So the story of "Spacey in Space" is kind of public, but also kind of secret. Then again, that is the kind of public relations President Underwood is so good at.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.