previewweb4-12-22

SUNRISE, Fla. -The red-hot Panthers will look to extend their winning streak to eight games when they kick off a two-game homestand against the Ducks at FLA Live Arena on Tuesday.
Holding onto an eight-point lead over the Maple Leafs for first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 51-15-6, the Panthers pace the NHL in both wins (30) and goals (170) on home ice.

"It's good to be home," Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette said. "Hopefully we can continue our home home-ice record and our identity on home ice. Tonight's another tough test."
Tightening up on the defensive side of the puck, the Panthers kept their streak alive with a 4-1 win at Nashville in their last outing on Saturday. Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Jonathan Huberdeau and Gustav Forsling all scored, while Spencer Knight turned aside 24 of 25 shots.
In the third period, the Panthers limited the Predators to just five shots on goal.
"I really liked that we were on the right side of the puck a lot of the game in the last game, basically the last five periods," Brunette said. "Carry that over. I still think we can be a little cleaner with the puck. That comes with a bit of fatigue last game. Just get back to our pace."
Cracking the scoresheet in Nashville, Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov each kept their point streaks alive. Huberdeau has tallied eight goals and 12 assists during his career-long, 11-game streak, while Barkov has posted six goals and nine assists during a seven-game run of his own.
Named the NHL's third star of the week on Monday, Huberdeau, who produced seven points (three goals, four assists) in three games last week, ranks second in the league in points (104), first in assists (77), fifth in power-play points (33) and tied for second in shorthanded points (5).
After backing up Knight against the Predators, Sergei Bobrovsky will return to the crease to face the Ducks. Needing one more win to tie Roberto Luongo's franchise-record for wins in a season (35), the two-time Vezina Trophy winner owns a 34-6-3 record behind a .911 save percentage.
"The last couple games here will be just a tune-up for the playoffs," Panthers forward Mason Merchant said of the homestretch. "You can't really let your eye off the prize. Keep playing."
Watching their record dwindle down to 29-33-12, the Ducks have gone 2-11-3 over their last 16 games and enter tonight's matchup on the heels of a tough 5-2 loss at Carolina on Sunday.
Trailing the Hurricanes by a score of 3-2 after the opening period, Jordan Staal found the back of the net twice in the third to complete his hat trick and put the game out of reach for Anaheim.
Since their slump began over a month ago on March 8, the Ducks have been outscored 62-36 while accumulating a league-worst seven points in the standings during that 16-game stretch.
That being said, they still boast a dangerous one-two punch up front in Troy Terry and rookie Trevor Zegras. Terry leads the team in goals (32) and points (58), while Zegras, who has made a name for himself with highlight-reel goals, sits second in points (54) and first in assists (34).
Sharing time between Anaheim's pipes, John Gibson has posted a 17-24-10 record with a .904 save percentage, while Anthony Stolarz owns a record of 11-7-2 with a .920 save percentage.
"They've definitely got some young skill and speed," Marchment said. "We'll have to do a good job, play a full 60 tonight and shut them down."
Recently announcing that he would be hanging up his skates after this season, Ryan Getzlaf, who spent his entire 17-year career with the Ducks, will play his last game in Sunrise tonight.
Helping the Ducks capture the Stanley Cup in 2007, Anaheim's longtime captain has notched 1,013 points (282 goals, 731 assists) in 1,151 career games.
"What he's done throughout his career has been spectacular," Brunette said. "He's been the face of that franchise for a long time. It feels like yesterday he just started. I remember him as a young rookie coming up with Corey Perry. To see what he's done in his career is pretty special."

PANTHERS PROJECTED LINEUP (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Forwards
Carter Verhaeghe - Aleksander Barkov - Anthony Duclair
Jonathan Huberdeau - Sam Bennett - Claude Giroux
Mason Marchment - Anton Lundell - Sam Reinhart
Maxim Mamin - Eetu Luostarinen - Patric Hornqvist
Defensemen
Ben Chiarot - MacKenzie Weegar
Gustav Forsling - Brandon Montour
Robert Hagg - Radko Gudas
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky
Spencer Knight

WHO'S HOT

Panthers: Aleksander Barkov has 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) over his last 12 games. … Jonathan Huberdeau has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) over his last 15 games. … Sam Reinhart has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) over his last 18 games.
Ducks:Trevor Zegras has seven points (four goals, three assists) over his last seven games. … Derek Grant has six points (two goals, four assists) over his last seven games. … Troy Terry has nine points (four goals, five assists) over his last 12 games.

THEY SAID IT

"When you have 10 games left to play, it's very important to keep building on what you're doing. Make sure that how you're playing, you don't have to think about it. One thing about here is that we just go out and have fun."-- Panthers forward Claude Giroux on the homestretch.
"I give our guys credit to battle back in the game and at least make a game of it. Even on a good night, if we're rested and ready to go, we're still probably outmatched right now with where our team is at." -- Ducks head coach Dallas Eakins following Sunday's loss at Carolina.

FIVE CATS STATS

  • The Panthers are the only team in the NHL averaging over four goals per game (4.15).
    - Since Feb. 26, Florida has gone 23-for-70 (32.9%) on the power play.
    - Anton Lundell's 41 points (15 goals, 25 assists) are the fourth-most ever by a Panthers rookie.
    - Claude Giroux has recorded multiple points in five of his first 10 games with Florida.
    - Sam Bennett has scored a team-leading 21 goals on home ice.

PANTHERS NEWS

  • NOTEBOOK: Giroux getting comfortable with Cats https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/notebook-giroux-getting-comfortable-with-cats/c-332883772
    - Cats Forecast: Widening the gap in the Atlantic Division https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/notebook-giroux-getting-comfortable-with-cats/c-332883772
    - PROSPECTS: Benning shines bright as Denver wins ninth NCAA title https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/prospects-benning-shines-bright-as-denver-wins-ninth-ncaa-title/c-332840872
    - Jonathan Huberdeau Named NHL's 'Third Star' of the Week Ending April 10 https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/cats-forecast-widening-the-gap-in-the-atlantic-division/c-332879936
    - 5 TAKEAWAYS: Panthers clamp down defensively in win over Predators https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/5-takeaways-panthers-clamp-down-defensively-in-win-over-predators/c-332823724

HOW TO WATCH / LISTEN

When:Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: FLA Live Arena
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports App, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Channel 220 / App & Streaming 932
Tickets:
HERE

IN-ARENA ACTIVATIONS

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Support the Florida Panthers Foundation and try to win big with the 50/50 Raffle. 
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Back by popular demand, bid now on players' "Favorite Things" baskets. 
- It's "Grateful Dead Night" at FLA Live Arena. Unlimited Devotion will be performing from the songbook of the Grateful Dead as well other classic rock songs pre-game, post-game and during both the first and second intermissions in the Coors Light Cold Zone.
- As part of "Truly Tuesday," fans can purchase and enjoy discounted Truly Hard Seltzer cans at select concession stands.