Cats Forecast: Hitting the road again; Halloween at FLA Live Arena

Off to a hot start, the Florida Panthers will hit the road again this week before returning home to celebrate Halloween with a battle against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday at FLA Live Arena.
Earning points in five of six games, the Panthers improved to 4-1-1 on the season when they closed out their three-game homestand with a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Entering this week, Florida sits in second place in the Atlantic Division.
"We just tried to hit the ground running and play our game," said goaltender Spencer Knight, who earned the win against New York. "We've played a lot of close games. It's a testament to our character and the guys in the room. We stick to the game plan. Everyone's playing for the team and not playing for themselves."

While Matthew Tkachuk paces the team in goals (3), assists (5) and points (8), the Panthers have been getting contributions from all over the ice so far this season. With all four lines and three defensive pairs chipping in, 13 players have scored a goal and 16 have recorded a point.
Strong in their own end despite missing No. 1 defenseman Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers have surrendered just nine goals at even-strength while ranking eighth in the NHL with a 60.71 GF%, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
"I think we bought in really well in this new system, playing tight defense in our zone," captain Aleksander Barkov said. "We kind of figured out really quick how to do it. Everyone seems to like it and understand it and knows what to do. That's a lot of confidence for everyone."
After kicking off their road trip with a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, the Panthers will wrap up their two-game trek with a tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.
Florida owns a 2-1-0 record on the road this season.
"Very, very dangerous in speed and skill," head coach Paul Maurice said of the Blackhawks. "You're going to see a completely different style of hockey game. Our challenge is to make sure our game doesn't shift too much because of that style, and then we'll get into a very physical game in Philadelphia."
To see what's going on this week and beyond for the Panthers, continue reading below.

THE GAMES

Tuesday: at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m. ET
The Panthers will face their first challenger from the Western Conference this season when they open up their two-game road trip with a battle against the streaking Chicago Blackhawks (3-2-0) at United Center on Tuesday. After dropping their first two games to start the season, Chicago enters this week riding high after pushing its winning streak to three games with a 5-4 win over the Seattle Kraken on Sunday. In all three of those wins, the Blackhawks came back from two-goal deficits to win. Max Domi leads the team with three goals, while four other players have all netted a pair. Sam Lafferty and Tyler Johnson rank first on the team with five points apiece. The hot hand in net, Alex Stalock has gone 2-1-0 with a .938 save percentage in three appearances. For the Panthers, let's go with Eetu Luostarinen as someone that could crack the scoresheet in this contest. Earning at least one point in four of six games this season, the 24-year-old forward produced a point in all three games on Florida's season-opening first road trip earlier this month.
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Thursday: at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET
Looking to bank two early wins against the boys from the City of Brotherly Love, the Panthers will wrap up their quick road trip with a rematch against the Philadelphia Flyers (4-2-0) at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday. In their first meeting of the season, Carter Verhaeghe scored a pair of goals to lead the Panthers to a 4-3 win at FLA Live Arena on Oct. 19. Since then, the Flyers have gone 1-1-0, including being shut out 3-0 by the San Jose Sharks on Sunday. Recording a point in all but one game this season, Kevin Hayes leads Philadelphia in scoring with eight points (one goal, seven assists), while Travis Konecny is second in points (6) and first in goals (4). Unbeaten between the pipes, Carter Hart owns a 4-0-0 record with a .949 save percentage. Need a goal for the Panthers? Let's go with Sam Reinhart in this contest. In 26 career games against the Flyers, Reinhart, who scored a career-high 33 goals in 2021-22, has found the back of the net 12 times. Overall, the Panthers have won seven of their last nine games against Philadelphia.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 96.5 WPOW-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Saturday: Ottawa Senators, 4 p.m. ET
Shifting from the City of Brotherly Love to a battle between brothers, Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk will face off for the first time this season when the Panthers host the Ottawa Senators (3-2-0) at FLA Live Arena on Saturday. Stretching their winning streak to three games, Brady scored twice to lead the Senators to a 6-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday. Brady is tied for first on the team in both goals (4) and points (8). Drake Batherson has also racked up eight points, while Shane Pinto has scored four goals. Starting all five games, Anton Forsberg has gone 3-2-0 with a .904 save percentage between Ottawa's pipes. As for the Panthers, look for Matthew to not only match his younger brother's output, but exceed it. Leading the Panthers in goals (3), assists (5) and points (8), Matthew, who is a year older than Brady, has notched 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 19 career games against the Senators.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
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
Tickets:
Here

GRATEFL DEAD NIGHT

Who's ready to groove?
The Panthers will host their annual "Grateful Dead Night" during their game against the Senators on Saturday. Unlimited Devotions will be performing from the songbook of the Grateful Dead, so make sure to put on your best tie-dye shirt and come to FLA Live Arena ready to rock.
Unlimited Devotions, which also boasts numerous other classic rock songs in its catalog of covers, will be performing pre-game, during the first and second intermissions, and post-game. Where can you find the show? In the Coors Light Cold Zone, of course!
The first 300 people who purchase the package will receive a "Grateful Dead Night" jersey.
To purchase tickets, click
HERE
.

TIME TO GET SPOOKY

In addition to the Grateful Dead, you might also find the undead at the arena on Saturday.
To celebrate Halloween with the Panthers, click
HERE
.

KIDS CLUB PACKS

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

Anton Levtchi has been lighting it up in Charlotte.
Cutting his teeth in North America after spending the last six seasons in Liiga, the 26-year-old forward has recorded three goals and three assists to help the Checkers gets off a 4-0-0 start.
Hitting the ground running, Levtchi scored two goals - including the game-winner in overtime - to lead Charlotte to a 4-3 victory over the Hartford Wolfpack in the season opener on Oct. 14.
Liiga's leading scorer with 61 points (26 goals, 35 assists) in 2021-22 with Tappara Tampere, Levtchi enters this week ranking first on Charlotte in goals (3) and tied for first in points (6).

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

Check out the story behind the Panthers' incredible "Pink in the Rink" jerseys.
To bid on these jerseys, click
HERE
.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

TERRITORY TALK

On the latest episode of Territory Talk, co-hosts Doug Plagens and Jameson Olive share their thoughts on the Panthers' strong start to the season, the new Reverse Retro jerseys and more.

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