Wednesday: New York Rangers, 7 p.m. ET
The Panthers are scheduled to resume their season with a matchup against the Rangers (19-7-4) at FLA Live Arena on Wednesday. In third place in the Metropolitan Division, New York went into the pause on the heels of a 3-2 shootout loss against Vegas on Dec. 17. Following a seven-game winning streak, the Rangers have lost four of their last six games. Led by stalwart defense and goaltending, New York is surrendering the fifth-fewest goals per game in the NHL (2.53). In net, Igor Shesterkin, who has started 17 of the team's 31 games, has registered a 13-3-2 record with a 2.05 goals-against average, .937 save percentage and one shutout. Leading the offense, Artemi Panarin has posted a team-high 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists), while reigning Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox has chipped in 31 points (five goals, 26 assists) from the blue line. In their previous meeting on Nov. 8, the Rangers defeated the Panthers by a score of 4-3 -- their first regulation loss of the season -- behind a 42-save performance from Shesterkin. This time around, look for Anthony Duclair to light the lamp for the Panthers. Tied for third on the team in goals (9), the speedy forward has scored five times in 14 career games against the Rangers.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 99.9 WKIS-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 219 / App & Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE
Thursday: Tampa Bay Lightning, 7 p.m. ET
The Panthers will welcome the Lightning (20-6-4) to Sunrise for the first time this season when the two cross-state rivals clash at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. Owning a four-point lead over Florida for first place in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay has won eight of its last nine games, including a 4-3 win at Vegas in the team's last outing before the pause. With both Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov missing large portions of the season due to injuries, Steven Stamkos leads the Lightning in goals (14) and points (35), while Victor Hedman sits first in assists (24). Splitting the first two games of their season series, the Panthers won their first meeting with the Lightning, 4-1, back on Oct. 19, and then lost the next meeting, 3-2, in overtime on Nov. 13. Likely to play a big role at both ends of the ice, look for Aaron Ekblad to come up big in this tilt. Ranking eighth among NHL defensemen in scoring with 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists), the two-way rearguard has tallied five goals and 14 assists in 30 career games against Tampa Bay.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 850 WFTL (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 91 / App & Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE
Saturday: Montreal Canadiens, 1 p.m. ET
In what has long been a staple of the holidays in South Florida, the Panthers will welcome the Canadiens (7-21-3) to FLA Live Arena for a matinee matchup on Saturday. Less than a year removed from their appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, the Canadiens sit in last place in the Atlantic Division and have lost seven of their last eight games. That being said, they did head into the pause with a 3-2 shootout win against the Flyers. Averaging the second-fewest goals in the league as a team (2.13), Montreal is led up front by Nick Suzuki (18 points), Tyler Toffoli (17 points) and Jonathan Drouin (16 points). Always bringing his A-game against the Canadiens, there's a good chance that Aleksander Barkov, who is expected to return from an injury coming out of the pause, finds the back of the net in this contest. In addition to being tied for first on the Cats with 10 goals this season, he's lit the lamp 16 times in 24 career games against Montreal.
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio:560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 850 WFTL (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 220 / App & Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE