SUNRISE, Fla. - The Panthers will get to evaluate not one, but two lineups when they open up their preseason slate with a doubleheader against the Predators at FLA Live Arena on Sunday.
The first game will be played at 2 p.m. ET, with the second following soon after at 6 p.m. ET.
"You'll get a chance early in camp to see everybody," head coach Joel Quenneville said.
Preview: Panthers Get to 'See Everybody' in Doubleheader with Predators
If the split-squad rosters remain consistent with what we've seen throughout camp thus far, there will be no shortage of talent on the ice for the Panthers in either game. On "Team Blue," you'll find Jonathan Huberdeau, Sam Bennett, MacKenzie Weegar and Aaron Ekblad, while "Team Red" boasts Aleksander Barkov, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and Gustav Forsling.
After hitting the ice for their first day of training camp on Thursday, the Panthers quickly ramped up their various preparations with back-to-back intrasquad scrimmages on Friday and Saturday.
By virtue of winning the second scrimmage behind a pair of goals from Owen Tippett, "Team Blue" earned the right to choose which game of the doubleheader that they'd like to suit up in.
As you can imagine, the earlier game was the easy pick.
"We wanted it," forward Sam Bennett said with a big grin. "We wanted the 2 o'clock game. It'll be nice to get some rest after the game, watch the second game or just watch some football."
Coming off a season in which they posted a record of 37-14-5 for a franchise-best .705 win percentage, the Panthers are heading into the 2021-22 campaign with very high expectations.
Not getting ahead of themselves, however, players aren't looking beyond the next game.
Or, in this unique case, games.
"I think it's just getting used to playing the systems again," Bennett said when asked about what players hope to accomplish against Nashville. "In the summer you get a lot of summer hockey, some shinny skates. There's not a ton of defense played in those games. To be aware of the defensive zone, defensive structure, getting all that dialed in is important in this preseason."
With 40 players set to dress during the doubleheader and potentially "a few" cuts coming on Monday, Quenneville said he'll be keeping a close eye on the team's rookies and prospects.
"I think it's good," he said of the double dip with the Preds. "It gives everybody an opportunity to get in the lineup and get some NHL experience. I'm looking forward to it, a lot of the guys are.
"You get a chance early to see everybody. I think that's the reason for it. There are some kids that have to get back to juniors as well. Basically everybody that's in camp is going to play."
Making his own preparations, Quenneville said that he will be coaching both games.
"I'm rusty," he chuckled.
After finishing last season with a record of 31-23-2, the Predators, who took both games of the annual preseason doubleheader from the Panthers the last time it was held back in 2019, are heading into the upcoming campaign looking to return to form and get back into the playoffs.
"These early preseason games you're really evaluating individual players to see where they progressed, to see where they're at individually as far as their identity as players," Nashville head coach John Hynes told the team's official website. "Then, you kind of start to piece it together as camp goes on of who's going to fit where, who's out competing who, who's having a really good camp, who we need to help get a little bit better. It's really a combination of things."
With proceeds directly benefiting the Florida Panthers Foundation's ongoing efforts to grow youth hockey in South Florida, all tickets to the doubleheader are just $10 (first come, first served for seating), include a parking pass and provide access for both games on the docket.
To purchase tickets, click HERE.
For fans that can't make it to Sunrise, both games will be streamed at FloridaPanthers.com.
PANTHERS ROSTERS (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
TEAM BLUE (2 PM GAME)
Forwards:Noel Acciari, Sam Bennett, Zac Dalpe, Aleksi Heponiemi, Patric Hornqvist, Jonathan Huberdeau, Maxim Mamin, Justin Nachbaur, Serron Noel, Justin Sourdif, Owen Tippett, Frank Vatrano
Defensemen:Kevin Connauton, Aaron Ekblad, Max Gildon, Matt Kiersted, Chase Priskie, MacKenzie Weegar
Goaltenders: Evan Fitzpatrick, Sam Montembeault
TEAM RED (6 PM GAME)
Forwards:Aleksander Barkov, Henry Bowlby, Grigori Denisenko, Anthony Duclair, Logan Hutsko, Juho Lammikko, Ryan Lomberg, Eetu Luostarinen, Mason Marchment, Sam Reinhart, Cole Schwindt, Carter Verhaeghe
Defensemen: Lucas Carlsson, Gustav Forsling, Braden Hache, Noah Juulsen, Brandon Montour, Markus Nutivaara
Goaltenders: Christopher Gibson, Spencer Knight
