Tuesday and Thursday: at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET
The Panthers will look to increase the gap between themselves and the Hurricanes (25-9-3) when the two teams meet on Tuesday and Thursday at PNC Arena. Entering the week just three points behind Florida for the top spot in the Central Division, Carolina has won five of its last seven games, including blanking the Stars by a score of 1-0 on Sunday. Playing them tight all season long, the Panthers have dropped three of four games against the Hurricanes thus far, but have earned a point in all four games, losing twice in overtime and once in a shootout. Up front, Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists), but has been held off the scoresheet in each of his last four games. Just under him, Dougie Hamilton ranks second with 30 points (four goals, 26 assists), while Vincent Trocheck sits in third with 29 (14 goals, 15 assists). Between the pipes, Petr Mrazek only just returned to action after missing more than two months with an injury. In his first start back, he turned aside all 28 shots he faced in a 1-0 win over Dallas on Sunday. For the Panthers, look for Aleksander Barkov to lead the charge in these matchups. Only just returning from an injury himself, the 25-year-old center has notched three points (one goal, two assists) in his first two games back. Named the "Player of the Month" in the Central Division in March, he's tallied six goals and seven assists in his last eight games.
TV: Bally Sports Florida
Radio Tuesday: 560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 850 WFTL (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 107.9 FM/1370 AM WZTA (TREASURE COAST) SIRIUSXM STREAMING CHANNEL 932
Radio Thursday:560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 107.9 FM/1370 AM WZTA (TREASURE COAST) SIRIUSXM STREAMING CHANNEL 932
Saturday: at Dallas Stars, 2 p.m. ET
Enjoying a rare three-game week during this jampacked season, the Panthers will close out their week by kicking off a two-game set with the Stars (13-13-10) at American Airlines Center on Saturday. Fighting to stick around in the playoff hunt, Dallas has won two of its last three games to pull within five points of Nashville for fourth place in the Central Division. Helping keep the Stars season afloat, rookie goaltender Jake Oettinger has been doing an exceptional job of holding down the fort in net. Sitting at 6-4-6 on the season and helping Dallas earn at least one point in 12 of his 16 starts, the 22-year-old former first-round pick has gone 3-3-1 with a .926 save percentage over his last seven appearances. On attack, Joe Pavelski has been doing a lot of heavy lifting, leading the Stars in goals (15) and points (34). Also lending a hand, four players under him have registered at least 24 points: John Klingberg (25), Roope Hintz (24) and Jason Robertson (24). Not far removed from sweeping the Stars during a two-game set in Sunrise in March, the Panthers have taken four of five games in the season series thus far. Going for yet another win, Carter Verhaeghe is one player to definitely keep an eye on if you're a fan of the Cats. Sitting first on the team and tied for ninth in the league in goals with 17, the 25-year-old forward has tallied three goals and two assists in five games against Dallas this season.
TV: Bally Sports Florida
Radio:560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 850 WFTL (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 107.9 FM/1370 AM WZTA (TREASURE COAST) SIRIUSXM STREAMING CHANNEL 932
