Cats Forecast: Panthers getting healthy; New Year's Day at FLA Live Arena

The Florida Panthers are healing up as the New Year approaches.
Working their way back from injuries, Aleksander Barkov (lower body), Radko Gudas (upper body), Chris Tierney (upper body) and Aaron Ekblad (upper body) were all on the ice during the team's first practice coming out of the holiday break on Tuesday afternoon at FLA Live Arena.
While Barkov, Ekblad and Tierney were all in yellow no-contact jerseys, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said he expects those three players to be cleared for contact on Wednesday. At that point, a decision will be made on which players are ready to get back into the lineup.
"That's obviously a great sign," Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said when asked about seeing his teammates back on the ice. "It means that they're right there if they're skating with the main group. … When the main group is skating together, we're a very dangerous group."

Sitting at 15-16-4, the Panthers will kick off their week with a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. After that, they'll hit the road right away to wrap up their back-to-back with a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on Friday.
After ringing in the New Year, they'll host the New York Rangers in Sunrise on Sunday.
"We're looking forward to having a strong second half," Gudas said. "We know we're a good enough group to turn things around in any game. … I believe that we can get on a roll."
To see what's going on this week and beyond for the Panthers, continue reading below.

THE GAMES

Thursday: Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET
With two big points up for grabs, the Panthers will return from the holiday break to host the Canadiens (15-16-3) at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. Losing five of their last six games, the Canadiens entered the break on the heels of a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Dec. 23. During that six-game stretch, Montreal has scored just 1.83 goals per game on average. Nick Suzuki leads the Canadiens in scoring with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists), while Cole Caufield is second in points (28) and first in goals (19). Doing a lot of the heavy lifting on offense, those two players have combined for 37.4% of the team's goals this season. In net, Jake Allen has earned the bulk of the starts for Montreal, posting a 9-13-1 record with a .900 save percentage. For the Panthers, look for Matthew Tkachuk to come flying out of the break in this matchup. Leading the team in scoring with 40 points (15 goals, 25 assists), he has 14 multi-point games in 2022-23.
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
Tickets:
Here
Friday: at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. ET
Hitting the road to close out their back-to-back, the Panthers will clash with the Hurricanes (22-6-6) at PNC Arena on Friday. On a heater heading into the break, Carolina has won each of its last eight games by a combined score of 29-17. Spreading out the offense, 14 different players have scored at least one goal during the streak, with Jordan Staal and Stefan Noesen netting a team-high four goals apiece. Overall, Martin Necas leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists), while Andrei Svechnikov is second in points (31) and first in goals (18). In the early-season running for the Calder Trophy, rookie goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov has posted a 10-1-4 record with a .928 save percentage and three shutouts for Carolina. As for the Panthers, Aleksander Barkov should make his presence felt in this contest if he's back in the lineup. A point-per-game player in his career against the Hurricanes, the captain has registered 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 31 meetings, including one goal and two assists in 2021-22.
TV & Streaming:Hulu, ESPN+
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
Sunday: New York Rangers, 5 p.m. ET
After closing the book on 2022, the Panthers will enter the 2023 portion of their schedule when they host the Rangers (19-11-5) on New Year's Day at FLA Live Arena on Sunday. Winners in eight of their last nine outings, New York entered the break with a 5-3 win over the rival New York Islanders on Dec. 22. Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in points (41) and assists (32), while Chris Kreider has netted the most goals (16). Additionally, Vincent Trocheck (12) and Mika Zibanejad (15) have each also crossed the 10-goal mark. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner, Igor Shesterkin has posted a 17-5-4 record with a .916 save percentage for the boys from the Big Apple. Looking to take a bite out of that apple, keep an eye on Carter Verhaeghe in this contest. Leading the Panthers with 17 goals, he's produced five multi-goal games in 2022-23.
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
Tickets:
Here

STOCKING STUFFER PACKAGE

Now's your last chance to take advantage of this great ticket offer!
Until end of December, fans can purchase the new "Panthers January Stocking Stuffer" package that includes one ticket to six January home games at FLA Live Arena for $149.
Those six games include: Jan. 1 vs. NY Rangers, Jan. 3 vs. Arizona Coyotes, Jan. 14 vs. Vancouver Canucks, Jan. 21 vs. Minnesota Wild, Jan. 27 vs. LA Kings and Jan. 28 vs. Boston Bruins.
To purchase the "Panthers January Stocking Stuffer," click
HERE
.

MARGARITAVILLE NIGHT

What's better than a cheeseburger in paradise?
How about a cheeseburger and hockey!
On Friday, Jan. 27, the Panthers will host "Margaritaville Night" when they take on the Los Angeles Kings at FLA Live Arena. 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
.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Ludvig Jansson is off to a great start at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
One of four Panthers prospects competing at the annual best-on-best U20 event from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in Nova Scotia, Jansson recorded three assists and a +4 rating during Sweden's 11-0 drubbing of Austria in the opening game of the tournament for both nations on Monday.
On Tuesday, the 19-year-old defenseman skated 17:03 in Sweden's 1-0 win over Germany.
Selected by the Panthers in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, Jansson has skated in 25 games with Södertälje SK of HockeyAllsvenskan in 2022-23. Last season, his five points (two goals, three assists) ranked seventh among under-20 defensemen in the league.
In August, Jansson skated in four games at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

You asked, they answered.
Check out the first "Panthers Mailbag" of 2022-23 featuring Spencer Knight and Anton Lundell.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

- RECAP: Panthers look to 'reset' during break after loss to Islanders
- Panthers Mailbag: Knight and Lundell
- Four Panthers Prospects Named to 2023 World Junior Championship Rosters