The Panthers (48-15-6) have already won the most games in their history and are one point shy of their record (103) they set in 2015-16, when they finished first in the Atlantic Division but lost to the New York Islanders in six games in the Eastern Conference First Round.
This is the third straight season Florida has qualified for the postseason after making it twice in its previous 18. The Panthers have not made it past the first round since 1995-96, when they advanced to the Cup Final in their first playoff appearance before being swept by the Colorado Avalanche.
Jonathan Huberdeau has 97 points (24 goals, 73 assists) in 69 games, breaking the Panthers record previously held by Aleksander Barkov (96 in 2018-19). Barkov, Florida's captain, has 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 56 games. Sam Reinhart has found his niche with the Panthers after being acquired in a trade with the Sabres last offseason, tying his NHL career high with 65 points (24 goals, 41 assists).
Aaron Ekblad has 57 points (15 goals, 42 assists) in 61 games, but the defenseman is week to week with a lower-body injury sustained in a 3-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks on March 18. Getting Ekblad back for the playoffs will be critical for the Panthers, who were without him last postseason because of a broken leg and lost in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
The Panthers got stronger before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, acquiring forward Claude Giroux from the Philadelphia Flyers, defenseman Ben Chiarot from the Montreal Canadiens and defenseman Robert Hagg from the Sabres.
Here's a look at the Panthers' path to a playoff berth:
Most Valuable Player: Huberdeau's 30 power-play points leads the Panthers. The forward is averaging 1.41 points per game, third in the NHL behind Connor McDavid (1.52) and Leon Draisaitl (1.44) of the Edmonton Oilers.
Unsung Hero:Anthony Duclair is having his best NHL season. The 26-year-old right wing has NHL career highs in points (52) and goals (28). He's also third on the Panthers with eight power-play goals.
Memorable Moment:A 9-3 win against the Lightning on Dec. 30. The Panthers scored the second-most goals in their history (they defeated the Boston Bruins 10-5 on Nov. 26, 1997) against their main rival and the team that knocked them out of the 2021 playoffs. Huberdeau had a five-point game (one goal, four assists) for the fourth time in his NHL career, and the Panthers showed what their record-setting offense was capable of against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions.
