Cats Forecast: Cats in Canada; Wild in Sunrise

The Florida Panthers are making their push.
Opening up their three-game road trip with a 4-1 win at Buffalo on Monday, the Panthers have now clawed their way back to within just four points of a playoff spot with a record of 21-20-4.
"We built trust in each other, trust in the system," said Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who is 4-1-0 in his last five starts. "We just work hard, compete hard. We have a tough schedule, but it doesn't matter for us. We're just working hard for each other and working for those two points."

With three more important games left on the schedule this week, the Panthers will continue their trip with a matchup against the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday. After that, they'll close things out on the road by clashing with the Canadiens at Bell Centre on Thursday.
Back in Sunrise for one game, they'll then host the Wild at FLA Live Arena on Saturday.
"The belief is in this room," Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said.
To see what's going on this week and beyond for the Panthers, continue reading below.

THE GAMES

Tuesday: at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET
On the second half of a back-to-back, the Panthers will continue their road trip with a matchup against the Maple Leafs (26-11-7) at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday. Looking to rebound after dropping both games on their latest two-game road trip, Toronto fell 4-1 at Detroit on Thursday and 4-3 at Boston on Saturday. Mitch Marner leads the Maple Leafs in scoring with 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists), while Auston Matthews, who won the Rocket Richard and Hart Trophies last season, is second with 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists). Fourth on the team in scoring with 44 points, John Tavares has notched five goals and five assists during his current six-game point streak. In net, Ilya Samsonov has posted a 12-4-1 record with a .914 save percentage over 17 starts, while Matt Murray has gone 11-5-2 with a .917 save percentage over 18 starts. As for the Panthers, look for Matthew Tkachuk to rise to the occasion in this important tilt. Leading Florida in goals (22), assists (34) and points (56), Tkachuk is currently on a seven-game point streak.
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+, ESPN+
Radio:560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Watch Party:
Tin Roof in Delray Beach
Thursday: at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET
Closing the book on their three-game road trip, the Panthers will face off against the Canadiens (18-23-3) at Bell Centre on Thursday. After shaking out of a seven-game losing streak, Montreal has won three of its last five games, including a 2-1 win at the New York Rangers on Sunday. In terms of offense, the Canadiens are averaging the 29th most goals per game in the NHL (2.55), but also have a young core of talent that can go off on any given night. Nick Suzuki leads the team in scoring with 37 points (16 goals, 21 assists), while Cole Caufield is second in points (36) and first in goals (26). Third in scoring, Kirby Dach has 27 points (eight goals ,19 assists). All three of those players are 23 years old or younger. In net, former Panthers goaltender Sam Montembeault has started each of the last four games for Montreal. Over his 17 appearances this season, he's posted an 8-7-2 record with a .910 save percentage. Looking across the ice for the Panthers, let's go with Aleksander Barkov as a player to watch. Terrorizing the Canadiens throughout his career, the captain has racked up 36 points (22 goals, 14 assists) in 28 head-to-head matchups.
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+, ESPN+
Radio:560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Saturday: Minnesota Wild, 6 p.m. ET
Heading home for one game before hitting the road again, the Panthers will welcome the Wild (24-14-4) to FLA Live Arena on Saturday. Winning each of its last two games, Minnesota followed a 3-1 win at the New York Islanders on Thursday with a 2-1 win over the Coyotes on Saturday. Kirill Kaprizov leads the Wild in goals (25), assists (27) and points (52), with 21 of those points coming on the power play. Mats Zuccarello is second in scoring with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists), while Joel Eriksson Ek is third with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists). Getting the nod in net in five of the last seven games, Marc-Andre Fleury has posted a 14-8-3 record with a .905 save percentage this season. Challenging him for starts, backup Filip Gustavsson sits at 10-6-1 with a .925 save percentage. Always bringing his A-game on home ice, look for Sam Bennett to strike for the Panthers in this contest. In addition to lighting the lamp in two of his last four games, the gritty forward has scored 25 goals in 56 home games since 2021-22.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+, ESPN+
Radio:560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App

MARGARITAVILLE NIGHT

Calling all Parrotheads! On Friday, Jan. 27, the Panthers will host "Margaritaville Night "against the Kings.
Right now, fans can purchase a special ticket package that includes a limited-edition Margaritaville bucket hat while supplies last.
Throughout the game, fans can also enjoy Margaritaville beach tunes live in the Coors Light Cold Zone by Jimmy Stowe & the Stowaways.
To purchase tickets, click
HERE
.

FLYAWAY TRIP CONTEST

Want to catch the Cats on the road?
Presented by our friends at Yuengling Flight, fans that are 21 years or older can enter to win two tickets to watch the Panthers take on the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 18.
The prize also includes two round-trip plane tickets and a two-night stay at a local hotel.
To enter, click
HERE
.

DRONE RACING LEAGUE

Speaking of flying away, who's down for a drone race?
Presented by Points Kash, fans can enter right now for a chance to win VIP tickets to the Drone Racing League's 2022-23 DRL Algorand World Championship at LoanDepot park on Feb. 25.
To enter, follow the link in the below tweet.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Braden Haché is on the move.
On Jan. 10, the 19-year-old defenseman was sent from the Kingston Frontenacs to the Barrie Colts in exchange for a haul of draft picks, including second-round selections in 2024 and 2026.
Making an immediate impact, Haché lit the lamp during his debut with the Colts on Jan. 12.

Selected by the Panthers in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Haché, who's known for his hard hits, heavy shot and physical play on the blue line, has produced 10 points (two goals, eight assists) over 39 games with Kingston and Barrie so far this season.
Poised for a return to the OHL playoffs, the Colts sit third in the Eastern Conference.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

The Panthers sported some incredible threads during warmups on Vamos Gatos Night.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

TERRITORY TALK

Stay up to date on the Panthers with the latest episode of the Territory Talk podcast.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

- 5 TAKEAWAYS: Panthers 4, Sabres 1
- 5 TAKEAWAYS: Panthers 4, Canucks 3
- Duclair takes another step toward returning to Panthers
- Panthers, FLA Live Arena Announce Jameson as Official Whiskey
- POSTCARD: Lundell's first trip to Las Vegas