Tuesday: at Winnipeg Jets, 8 p.m. ET
The Panthers will open up their week by closing their five-game road trip with a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets (15-7-1) at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday. In second place in the Central Division, Winnipeg has won four of its last five games, including a 5-2 win over the Ducks on Sunday. Josh Morrissey leads the Jets in scoring with 26 points (five goals, 21 assists), while Kyle Connor is in second with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists). Tied for third, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Blake Wheeler have each notched 22 points. The backbone of Winnipeg's fifth-ranked defense (2.57 goals allowed per game), Connor Hellebuyck owns a 12-5-1 record with a 2.27 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and three shutouts. For the Panthers, look for Matthew Tkachuk to find a way to break through on offense. Leading the team in scoring with 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists), he's produced 12 multi-point games already this season.
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 App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Thursday: Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m. ET
Playing their first game at home since Nov. 26, the Panthers will finally return to FLA Live Arena to host the Detroit Red Wings (12-7-5) on Thursday. Just one point ahead of the Panthers in the standings, Detroit has lost three of its last four games, but closed out last week with a 4-2 win at Columbus. Making a dent on the scoresheet in six of the last eight games, Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings in scoring with 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists). Also over the 20-point plateau, Dominik Kubalik is second with 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists), while Filip Hronek is third with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists). Getting the nod in eight of the last nine games, Ville Husso has gone 10-4-3 with a 2.58 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and three shutouts this season. For the Panthers, look for Sam Bennett come up big in this important divisional contest. Tied for third on the team in scoring with 21 points (five goals, 16 assists), the gritty forward has registered two goals and nine assists over his last nine games.
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
Tickets:
Here
Saturday: at Tampa Bay Lightning, 4:30 p.m. ET
Hitting the road for a quick one-game trip, the Panthers will venture across the state for a battle against the Tampa Bay Lightning (15-8-1) on Saturday. Third in the Atlantic Division, Tampa Bay has won eight of its last 10 games, including a 4-3 overtime win over Toronto on Saturday. Tied for seventh in the NHL on offense with an average of 3.50 goals per game, the Lightning's attack is led by Nikita Kucherov (36 points) and Steven Stamkos (29 points). On the blue line, Mikhail Sergachev leads the team's D-men in scoring with 23 points (four goals, 19 assists). In net, Andrei Vasilevskiy has earned the bulk of the starts, going 10-7-1 with a 2.78 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. Always bringing his A-game in this rivalry matchup, look for Aaron Ekblad to make things happen on the ice against the Lightning. Nearly a point-per-game player so far this season, he's recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 14 games.
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 App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Watch Party: