Cats Forecast: Senators, Red Wings visit FLA Live Arena

Even the best teams in the NHL face adversity from time to time.
Sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division at 35-13-5, the Panthers enter this week looking to get back into the win column after losing three straight games for the first time since December.
With all three of those losses surprisingly coming in Sunrise - where they've won a league-leading 23 games this season - the Panthers will have a few days to recharge before hosting the Senators on Friday and Red Wings on Saturday to close out their five-game homestand.

"We have a very competitive team," Panthers rookie Anton Lundell said when asked about the mini-slump following Saturday's loss to the Oilers. "We just want to win. It's a little frustrating, but something we can get energy from. We're going to come into next game with a fresh mind."
Playing well enough to win even in defeat, the Panthers have led 166-106 in shot attempts and 83-57 in scoring chances at 5-on-5 during their losing streak, which came after the team strung together three straight wins on the road at Carolina, Minnesota and Chicago following the break.
With a push toward the playoffs on the horizon, the action is only going to continue to heat up.
"We feel it," Panthers forward Anthony Duclair said. "Every game is kind of a playoff mentality."
From two games at home to a galactic celebration, here's what's on the agenda for this week.

THE GAMES

Thursday: Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. ET
The Panthers will look to snap out of their three-game skid when they host the Senators (19-27-5) at FLA Live Arena on Tuesday. On the wrong side of the end result in four of their last seven games, the Senators enter this week fresh off a 2-1 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday. Not to be taken lightly despite their record, it wasn't long ago that Ottawa stunned the Panthers in an 8-2 win in Sunrise back on Dec. 14. Brady Tkachuk paces the Senators in points (37), while Thomas Chabot has the most assists (22) and Josh Norris has scored the most goals (18). In net, Anton Forsberg and Matt Murray have been sharing time. Forsberg owns an 11-8-2 record with a .917 save percentage, while Murray has gone 5-10-2 with a .920 save percentage. With both goaltenders, neither's record reflects their strong save percentages. As for the Panthers, who will certainly have revenge on their mind in this matchup, Aleksander Barkov is always a good bet to light the lamp. Leading the team with 25 goals, the captain found the back of the net 10 times over his last 14 games, with four of those goals coming by way of the man advantage.
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 219 / App & Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE
Saturday: Detroit Red Wings, 6 p.m. ET
Three of the top rookies in the NHL will be front and center when the Panthers close out their homestand against the Red Wings (23-24-6) on Saturday at FLA Live Arena. With all of them possibly ending up as finalists for the Calder Trophy, Detroit has been getting big contributions from Moritz Seider (39 points) and Lucas Raymond (42 points), while the Panthers have a gem of their own in Anton Lundell (36 points). Trying to remain in the hunt for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, Detroit has lost three of its last four games and enters this week likely still reeling from a 10-7 loss to the Maple Leafs on Saturday. An all-star this season, Dylan Larkin is first on the Red Wings in both goals (26) and points (55), while Seider has dished out the most assists (34). Between the pipes, Alex Nedeljkovic has earned the bulk of the starts, going 14-15-5 with a .903 save percentage. For the Panthers, look for Aaron Ekblad to have a big game at both ends of the ice in this tilt. Fifth among NHL defensemen in scoring with 49 points (14 goals, 35 assists), the top-pairing blueliner has notched four goals and 10 assists in his last 12 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

MILESTONE WATCH

• Sam Bennett is four goals away from his 100th NHL goal.
  - Brandon Montour is seven assists away from his 100th NHL assist.
  - Aaron Ekblad is four goals away from his 100th NHL goal.
  - Sam Reinhart is seven assists away from his 200th NHL assist.

STAR WARS NIGHT

You don't have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to enjoy Star Wars.
Grab your lightsaber and join the Panthers for their annual "Star Wars Night" when they battle the Senators (the ones from Ottawa, not the Galactic Republic) on Thursday at FLA Live Arena.
For tickets, click HERE.
To view more upcoming promotional nights, click HERE.

NHL 22 TOURNAMENT

We've still got two more digital hockey left to play!
After crowning champions on XBOX One and PS4 last week, the FLA Panthers Gaming & X Rocker Gaming NHL 22 1v1 Tournament will continue Friday on XBOX Series X/S and PS5.
All tournaments will begin at 7 p.m. ET, with check-in opening at 6 p.m. ET.
The winner of the PS5 tournament will take home a X Rocker gaming chair signed by multiple Panthers players, while the second-place finisher will win a $50 credit to FLATeamShop.com.
For the XBOX Series X/S tournament, the winner will receive a Panthers jersey signed by 2022 NHL All-Star Jonathan Huberdeau, while second place will score a X Rocker gaming headset.
All registrants will also be entered into a raffle for an autographed Panthers mystery puck.
Players can register for the tournament on PS5 by visiting the tournament section at
rivalgames.com/panthers
, while players that wish to compete on XBOX Series X/S should visit the tournament section on
rivalgames.com/xrocker
.
If you'd rather watch than play, the tournament will be broadcast at Twitch.tv/FlaPanthers.

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

Evan Nause has really ramped up his game in February.
Suiting up in 12 games this month, the 19-year-old defenseman has tallied eight points (two goals, six assists) while manning the blue line for the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts, including dishing out a pair of assists during a dominant 10-4 win over the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Sunday.
"You kind of get the feeling that he has a lot of confidence with the way that he plays," Panthers general manager Bill Zito said after selecting Nause in the second round (56th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft in July. "He can move the puck, he can shoot, and he thinks the game well."
Making good strides during his second season in the QMJHL, Nause currently ranks second among Remparts defensemen in scoring with 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 38 games.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

How about this between-the-legs pass from Frank Vatrano?
"A great play by Frankie," rookie Anton Lundell said afterward.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

TERRITORY TALK

The mailbag was opened once again on the latest episode of Territory Talk.

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