Forecast-04-18-22

The Panthers are getting hot at the perfect time.
Entering this week sitting at 54-15-6 and riding a 10-game winning streak, they currently own a solid eight-point cushion for first place in the Atlantic Division with only seven games left to play.
Hoping to lock up home-ice advantage in the playoffs, they'll look to continue pocketing crucial points during a jampacked four-game slate this week. After ending their road trip on Tuesday against the Islanders, they'll return home to host the Red Wings, Maple Leafs and Lightning.
Outstanding on home ice, the Panthers own a 32-6-0 record at FLA Live Arena.

"I didn't even really recognize it was 10 in a row," Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette said. "The last three or four, I've liked how we've managed the game and how we did the right things. We talked about it, and we're bringing it every night. Hopefully we can continue to build."
Following a string of wild come-from-behind wins, the Panthers have been clicking on both sides of the puck in recent outings. Over the course of their last four games, they've scored 19 goals while surrendering just five, including cruising to a very convincing 6-1 win at Detroit on Sunday.
"We've just been trying to play the same way, maybe even better," Panthers rookie Anton Lundell said of the team's defensive improvement. "We want to backcheck and keep all five guys very tight. We don't want to let the other team get any 2-on-1's or breakaways.
Of course, the goalies are the last man standing there. They've been really good and made huge saves."
With the playoffs on the horizon, the Panthers want to keep polishing their all-around game. "It's been so fun to play on this team," Lundell said.
"Every game we have a great chance to win. We just need to play our game every game. It's not easy to win in this league, but when we play this way we have a great chance to win." From "Pucks & Pints" to four important games, here's what's on the agenda for this week.

THE GAMES

Tuesday: at New York Islanders, 7:30 p.m. ET
The Panthers will look to extend their winning streak to 11 games when they wrap up their two-game road trip with a matchup against the Islanders (35-31-9) at UBS Arena on Tuesday. New York has picked up wins in seven of its last 11 games, but enters this week on the heels of 4-2 loss at Toronto on Sunday. Brock Nelson leads the Islanders in both goals (34) and points (56), while Mathew Barzal is second in points (51) and first in assists (37). In net, Ilya Sorokin has started five of the last six games. In 48 appearances this season, he's posted a 25-16-7 record with a .927 save percentage and seven shutouts. In two head-to-head meetings this campaign, the Panthers have gone 2-0-0 while outscoring the Islanders 11-2. Leading the charge up front with a hat trick in their first meeting back on Oct. 16 in which the Panthers won 5-1 in Sunrise, look for Sam Bennett to light the lamp once again in this contest. Looking to achieve the first 30-goal season of his career, the hard-nosed forward has scored a career-high 27 goals thus far.
TV & Streaming:

, Bally Sports App, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming 932
Thursday: Detroit Red Wings, 7 p.m. ET
The Panthers will go for a sweep of their season series with the Red Wings (29-37-10) when the two divisional foes clash at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. Improving to 3-0-0 against Detroit this season, the Panthers secured a 6-1 win in their previous meeting on Sunday in the Motor City. Overall, the Red Wings have lost 10 of their last 13 games while being outscored 56-30 in that span. Out for the remainder of the season due to an injury, Dylan Larkin paces Detroit in goals (31) and points (69). Expected to be named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, rookie Moritz Seider leads the team in assists (41) and paces the team's defensemen in points (47). Alternating starts as of late, Alex Nedeljkovic has gone 19-22-9 with a .901 save percentage this season, while Thomas Greiss is 9-14-1 with a .892 save percentage. For the Panthers, look for Anton Lundell is show why he's also deserving of some Calder love in this battle. Racking up 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) during his rookie campaign, the 20-year-old has feasted on the Red Wings this season, touching the twine four times in two games.
TV & Streaming: Hulu, ESPN+
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 220 / App & Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE
Saturday: Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET
In a potential preview of a future playoff matchup, the Panthers will host the Maple Leafs (50-20-6) at FLA Live Arena on Saturday. Splitting the first two games of their season series, the Cats came out on top in their most-recent matchup in epic fashion. Trailing 5-1, they clawed their way back to win 7-6 in overtime in front of a rowdy crowd in Sunrise on April 5. Trying to chase down the Panthers in the Atlantic Division, Toronto has won 10 of its last 12 contests, including a 4-2 win over the Islanders on Sunday. Auston Matthews leads the Maple Leafs in goals (58) and points (102), while Mitch Marner is second in points (94) and first in assists (60). Manning the crease, Jack Campbell has gotten the nod in six of the last nine games. In 46 appearances this season, he's posted a 29-9-5 record with a .912 save percentage and four shutouts. Likely stepping up for the home team in this tilt, look for Aleksander Barkov to have a big game. Leading Florida with 34 goals, the captain has produced 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in his last 10 games.
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports App, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 850 WFTL (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM NHL Network Radio Channel 91
Tickets:
HERE
Sunday: Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET
There's nothing like a rivalry game to get ready for the playoffs. Meeting for the fourth and final time this season, the Panthers will welcome the cross-state rival Lightning (46-21-8) to FLA Live Arena on Sunday. Earning points in all three of their previous meetings, Florida owns a 2-0-1 record against Tampa Bay this season, including cruising to a 9-3 win in their last matchup on Dec. 30 in Sunrise. Steven Stamkos leads the Lightning in goals (33) and points (84), while Victor Hedman is second in points (72) and first in assists (53). Additionally, Brayden Point and Alex Killorn have each tallied 55 points. Handling most of the workload as usual in net, Andrei Vasilevskiy has gone 35-17-5 with a .917 save percentage and two shutouts. Always rising to the occasion against the Bolts, expect Jonathan Huberdeau to shine on the ice for the Cats. Sitting second in the NHL in scoring with a career-high 108 points (30 goals, 78 assists), he's amassed a whopping 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 41 career games against Tampa Bay.
TV & Streaming:Hulu, ESPN+
Radio:560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 850 WFTL (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 219 / App & Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE

MILESTONE WATCH

  • Jonathan Huberdeau is two goals away from his 200th NHL goal.
    - Ryan Lomberg is four games away from his 100th NHL game.
    - Robert Hagg is five games away from his 300th NHL game.
    - MacKenzie Weegar is seven assists away from his 100th NHL assist.
    - Claude Giroux is seven goals away from his 300th NHL goal.

FAN APPRECIATION

With the regular season winding down, it's time to give back to the fans!
From April 18-24, the Panthers will be celebrating "Fan Appreciation Week" with a series of awesome online giveaways. Fans can enter each day for the chance to win one-of-a-kind prizes such as autographed jerseys, playoff tickets, a custom Panthers XBOX Series S and more!
To enter, visit
FloridaPanthers.com/Fans
.
Additionally, to stay up to date on all contests visit FloridaPanthers.com/Contests.

ITALIANFEST

ItalianFest is back!
Come celebrate Italian Heritage on the JetBlue Tarmac from 4-7 p.m. before the Panthers take on the Maple Leafs at FLA Live Arena on Saturday.
At the event, fans will be able to enjoy various food and drink items such as:
- Sausage and Peppers
- Arancini rice balls w/ spicy marinara sauce
- Meatball Sliders
- St. Joseph Day Pastries
- Lobster Tails
- Cannoli
- Gelato Cart
- Italian Soda and Italian Soda Cocktails
To purchase tickets, click HERE.

PUCKS & PINTS

Slap shots and suds?
Sign us up.
Presented Funky Buddha Brewery, the Panthers will host their bi-annual "Pucks & Pints Beerfest" during their matchup against the rival Lightning at FLA Live Arena on Sunday.
All ticket packages include unlimited sampling from participating breweries including:
- 26 Degree Brewing
- Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks
- Black Flamingo Brewing Co.
- Funky Buddha Brewery
- And many more!
With a portion of all proceeds benefitting the Florida Panthers Foundation, all fans, who must be 21+ to attend the event, can enjoy beer samples, live music and more throughout the Beerfest.
To purchase tickets or learn more, click HERE.

ROCKET LEAGUE TOURNAMENT

Fire up your engines!
FLA Panthers Gaming is hosting a free-to-play Rocket League tournament on April 25. An online 1-on-1 event, the winner of the tournament will receive a $100 Amazon gift card, while second place will take home an autographed Panthers puck.
To register, visit
rivalgames.com/panthers
.

TERRITORY MEMBERSHIPS

There's no better time to support the Panthers and rep the shield.
By becoming a Territory Member, fans can receive exclusive access, unparalleled savings and memorable experiences for the 2022-23 season. With both regular and premium memberships currently available, benefits include everything from discounted merchandise to special gifts.
Territory Members also receive priority access for playoff tickets, access to members-only events and presale access to buy tickets to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game in South Florida.
To learn more about Territory Memberships, click HERE.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Jakub Kos is finding his games overseas.
Suiting up for Koovee in Mestis (the second-highest league in Finland), the 18-year-old forward has registered 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 20 games. Also appearing in 17 games with Ilves in Liiga, he posted three points (one goal, two assists) while going up against grown men.
On Saturday, he scored a pair of goals to lead Koovee to a 5-4 win over SaPKo.

Taken by the Panthers in the sixth round (184th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, Kos also appeared laced up his skates with Czechia at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

Look good, feel good! Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Panthers Picture Day in the clip below.
Watch: Youtube Video

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

TERRITORY TALK

Making his debut on Territory Talk, Anthony Duclair joined last week's episode of the podcast to discuss his first 30-goal season, the mood in the Panthers' locker room and much, much more!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT