Cats Forecast: Heading out West

The Florida Panthers are heading west in search of more points.
Entering the week in second place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 5-3-1, the Panthers will kick off a four-game road trip with a matchup against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. After that, they'll then visit the San Jose Sharks on Thursday before closing things out with a back-to-back against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
"It feels like we've been playing a lot of games on the road lately," Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe said after Monday's practice at FLA Live Arena. "It feels good to come back here for one game and get the win, but it's going to be fun getting on the road and bonding with the guys."

Riding high heading onto the road, the Panthers closed out last week with a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators at home on Saturday. In the win, Verhaeghe scored a pair of goals, while Brandon Montour, Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov also found the back of the net.
Making a bit of history in the process, Florida fired off a franchise-record 58 shots on goal.
"It was huge for us," Barkov said after the win. "We wanted to get the win before we go on a long road trip. I think we played really good. In the second period we had some trouble in our own zone and gave up a little too much for them. At the same time, we battled back and won the game."
To see what's going on this week and beyond for the Panthers, continue reading below.

THE GAMES

Tuesday: at Arizona Coyotes, 10 p.m. ET
The Panthers will kick off their four-game road trip with their first-ever visit to the 5,000-seat Mullett Arena to face the Coyotes (2-5-1) on Tuesday. After opening up their season with six straight games on the road, the Coyotes have dropped each of the first two games in their new barn, including a 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday. South Florida native Shayne Gostisbehere leads Arizona and ranks third among NHL defensemen with four goals. Gostisbehere is also tied with Clayton Keller for the team's scoring lead with eight points, while five other players on the roster have posted five points. Ranking 31st in the NHL on defense with an average of 4.38 goals allowed per game, the Coyotes have been utilizing both Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka between the pipes. While each netminder has one win, neither has a save percentage over .900. For the Panthers, look for Matthew Tkachuk to do some damage in the desert. First on the team in goals (5), assists (8) and points (13), he's produced a whopping 21 points in 17 career games against the Coyotes.
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
Thursday: at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Panthers will play their first of three straight games in the Golden State when they clash with the Sharks (3-8-0) at SAP Center on Thursday. After opening up the season on a five-game losing streak, San Jose has gone 3-3-0, but enters this week on the heels of a 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Off to a resurgent start, two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson leads the Sharks in goals (6) and points (11). Over his last four games, Karlsson has lit the lamp four times. Trailing Karlsson, Logan Couture is second on the team in scoring with seven points (four goals, three assists) and Tomas Hertl is third with six points (one goal, five assists). Earning the start in seven of 11 games, James Reimer has gone 2-5-0 with a .914 save percentage. Hitting the ground running like Karlsson, look for Brandon Montour to chip in a point or two from the blue line in this contest for the Panthers. Producing at better than a point-per-game pace, he's recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games.
TV & Streaming:Hulu, ESPN+
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Saturday: at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. ET
In the first half of a back-to-back set to close out their road trip, the Panthers will head to Los Angeles for a date with the Kings (5-5-0) at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday. Winners in two of their last three games, the Kings enter this week feeling pretty good after securing a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Sitting seventh in the NHL on offense with an average of 3.50 goals per game, Gabriel Vilardi leads Los Angeles in goals (7) and points (11), while Anze Kopitar has dished out the most assists (8). In net, Jonathan Quick is 2-4-0 with a .878 save percentage. Backing him up, Cal Petersen has gone 3-1-0 with a .865 save percentage. Under the bright lights of Hollywood, looks for Aleksander Barkov to put on a show in this contest. Tied for second on the Panthers in scoring with eight points (one goal, seven assists), the captain has tallied 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 12 career games against the Kings.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+, ESPN+
Radio: 96.5 WPOW-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 219 / App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Sunday: at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m. ET
Hoping to put a bow on a busy week, the Panthers will wrap up their four-game trek out west with a matchup against the Ducks (2-6-1) at Honda Center on Sunday. After winning their first game of the season, the Ducks dropped seven straight games before breaking out of that skid with a 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Netting the game-winning goal in that contest, Trevor Zegras leads Anaheim in goals (6) and ranks second in points (7). Just ahead of him on the team's scoring leaderboard, Troy Terry has logged 10 points (four goals, six assists). Getting the bulk of the workload in the crease, John Gibson owns a 2-5-1 record with a .888 save percentage. Not far removed from having his shot described as "elite" by head coach Paul Maurice, look for Carter Verhaeghe to challenge Gibson early and often in this tilt. Second on the team in goals with four, he's posted two assists in three career games against Anaheim.
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+, NHL Network
Radio:560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 219 / App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App

STACHE DASH RETURNS

Presented by Baptist Health Cancer Care, the Panthers will host their third-annual 'Stache Dash 5K' on Nov. 12 to help raise awareness and funds for men's cancer research and prevention.
Participants can register to walk or run in the 5K and One-Mile Fun Run/Walk at FLA Live Arena or support from a distance by committing to a virtual run. The 5K race will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. with the One-Mile Fun Run/Walk starting shortly after at 8:15 a.m. Parking lots will open at 5:30 a.m. with check-in beginning at 6 a.m.
To sign up, check pricing or to view more information, click
HERE
.
Following the 5K, the Panthers will host their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night during their matchup against the Edmonton Oilers at 4 p.m. ET.
For tickets, click
HERE
.

HOCKEY HALL OF FAME NIGHT

It's been too long since we've had a good "Luuu!" chant at FLA Live Arena.
Set to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in just a few weeks, the Panthers will celebrate Roberto Luongo's illustrious career during their matchup against the Dallas Stars on Nov. 17. Additionally, the first 10,000 fans through the doors will receive a commemorative mini goalie stick that highlights more than a few of Luongo's impressive career achievements such as his 489 wins, 28,409 saves and more.
To purchase tickets, click
HERE
.

KIDS CLUB

All Panthers fans 14 and under are invited to join the Florida Panthers Kids Club!
With three different levels, there is a fit for every young Panthers fan. The 2022-23 season-long membership gives you access to exclusive Kids Club events, limited-edition merchandise, special offers and more.
All Kids Club Members must be signed up by an adult 18 years of age or older.
To learn more or sign up, click
HERE
.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Marek Alscher is already doing some damage during his second season in the WHL.
Manning the blue line for the Portland Winterhawks, the 18-year-old defenseman has racked up four points (two goals, two assists) over his last four games, including posting a goal and an assist during a 4-3 loss to the Kelowna Rockets on Oct. 28.

After recording 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 61 games with the Winterhawks in 2021-22, Alscher, who was taken by the Panthers in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, ranks tied for third among Portland's defensemen in points (4) and second in goals (2) through eight games this season.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

A little bit of rain couldn't keep the Cats from strutting their stuff on the red carpet for the Home Opener.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

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TERRITORY TALK

On the latest episode of the Territory Talk podcast, co-hosts Doug Plagens and Jameson Olive discuss Florida's wealth of scoring chances, players stepping up and much more. Plus, Roberto Luongo talks about his career and upcoming induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
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