Monday: Chicago Blackhawks, 7 p.m. ET
The Panthers will attempt to extend their winning streak to a season-high four games when they host the Blackhawks (14-10-5) at BB&T Center on Monday. Chicago enters the week fresh off a 4-2 loss to Florida on Saturday and has dropped four of its last six games overall. Patrick Kane leads the team and ranks third in the league with 41 points (11 goals, 30 assists), while Dominik Kubalik paces the club with 15 goals. Earning at least one point in 10 of his last 12 games, Kane has registered four goals and 15 assists in that span. Overall, the Blackhawks have yet to win a game in three head-to-head matchups with the Panthers this season while being outscored 14-8 in those contests. Speaking of the Cats, keep a close eye on Frank Vatrano in this tilt. Tied for the most even-strength goals on the team with 10, the 27-year-old winger has found the back of the net six times over his last nine outings. Coming up in the clutch, three of those scores have been game-winners. Additionally, he's lit the lamp in two of three games against Chicago this season.
TV: FOX Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 107.9 FM/1370 AM WZTA (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM Ch. 223 / Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE
Thursday and Saturday: Nashville Predators, 7 p.m. ET (Thurs), 2 p.m. ET (Sat)
Closing the book on their four-game homestand, the Panthers will host the Predators (11-16-1) for two battles at BB&T Center on Thursday and Saturday. Entering this week mired in a tough slump, Nashville has lost six of its last seven games, including 6-3 drubbing at Tampa Bay on Saturday. Through the first four games of their season series with Florida, the Predators have been outscored 18-13 while winning just one of those games. Doing a lot of the heavy lifting on offense, Filip Forsberg leads the team in goals (10), assists (17) and points (27). A tough player to contain on the ice, the 26-year-old winger has posted 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in four games against the Panthers this season. For the Cats, look for Patric Hornqvist to have a good showing against his former club in this two-game set. Pacing the team in both goals (T-11) and power-play goals (6), the 34-year-old veteran has recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in 14 career games against Nashville, including registering three assists this season.
TV:FOX Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 107.9 FM/1370 AM WZTA (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM Ch. 222 / Streaming 932
Tickets:
FloridaPanthers.com/Tickets
Sunday: at Tampa Bay Lightning, 4 p.m. ET
Fanning the flames of their cross-state rivalry, the Panthers will open up a five-game road trip with a matchup against the Lightning (19-5-2) at Amalie Arena on Sunday. Tied with Florida for points (40) and currently sitting second in the Central Division, Tampa Bay enters the week with wins in nine of its last 11 games. In that span, they've surrendered just 23 goals while pitching three shutouts. The only team averaging more goals than Florida this season, the Lightning are lighting the lamp an average of 3.73 times per game. Fueling that attack, four different players have recorded at least 25 points: Ondrej Palat (26), Victor Hedman (26), Steven Stamkos (25) and Brayden Point (25). Stamkos leads the team in goals (12), while Hedman has dished out the most assists (21). For the Panthers, who have taken two of three games from Tampa Bay so far this season, look for Aaron Ekblad to come up with some big plays in this matchup. Off to one of the best starts in his career, the 25-year-old ranks second among the league's blueliners in goals (9) and first in power-play goals (5). In 27 career games against the Bolts, he's notched five goals and 13 assists while -- despite facing Tampa Bay's lethal attack -- earning a +2 rating.
TV:FOX Sports Florida, ESPN+
Radio:560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 107.9 FM/1370 AM WZTA (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM Ch. 223 / Streaming 932