The Panthers are getting pretty used to playing extra hockey.
Opening up their season on a healthy five-game point streak, the Panthers have certainly put in a good sweat over a short amount of time, going beyond the 60-minute mark to decide a winner in each of their last four contests, including Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Red Wings.
Preview: Panthers Look to Keep Rolling Against Red Wings
"We're seeing an abnormal number of tie games around the league," Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville said after the win. "Whether it's the familiarity on the back-to-back nights, familiarity of your own division, the teams know how to play against one another.
"That unpredictably sometimes can be a factor, but there's no surprises now with who you're playing and the matchups [this season]. The games are tight in back-to-back games… The games are exciting. The games are on the line from start to finish."
Closing out a back-to-back set with the Red Wings on Sunday night at Little Caesars Arena, it's clear the Panthers, who have been equally entertaining and effective in the early goings of their 2020-21 campaign, don't really care how long the game takes as long as they leave with points.
Sitting at 4-0-1, it's all about continuing to build upon that strong foundation right now.
"Getting points, especially in a shortened season, is big," Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle said. "Finding ways to win games, whether it's overtime or a shootout, they're going to be much needed, especially late in the season. Let's collect as many points as we can now and keep riding this."
Promoted from the taxi squad earlier in the day, rookie forward Aleksi Heponiemi played the role of hero in Saturday's nail-biting win, burying a stunning cross-crease pass from Anthony Duclair in overtime to lock down the two points for the Panthers with his first NHL goal in his first game.
Taken by Florida in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft, the 22-year-old Finn amazingly became just the fourth player to score an overtime goal in their NHL debut, joining Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov (2020), Calgary's Tim Sweeney (1990) and Brooklyn's Nick Knott (1941).
"It's just an amazing feeling, just getting those first couple nervous shifts out the away," Heponiemi said of the unforgettable moment. "I was just enjoying the ice time. Q [Quenneville] putting me out there for an important moment means a lot. It's just an amazing feeling."
Aleksander Barkov and Keith Yandle also found the back of the net during the win, with both goals coming by way of the power play. With a balanced attack up front, Barkov is one of four players on the team with six points, while three others have accumulated at least four already.
Owning the sixth-ranked power play in the league (33.3%), the Panthers have also begun to find their footing on the penalty kill while going a solid 12-for-13 (92.3%) over their last three outings.
"Our penalty killing the last couple games has been excellent," Quenneville said.
Standing tall between the pipes, Sergei Bobrovsky denied 25 of 27 shots - including three from high-danger areas - to improve to 3-0-0 on the season. His biggest save came with a little over three minutes left in the third period. With Mathias Brome left alone in front, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner stretched out his left pad and made an epic toe save to keep the score tied 2-2.
"It was tough," Bobrovsky said of the save. "I tried to stay focused and stay patient as much as possible and just outwait him. That little bit gave me enough time to get a piece of [the puck]."
With no skate this morning, it's unlikely we will know tonight's starter until we get closer to puck drop. If Bobrovsky doesn't get the nod again, look for backup Chris Driedger to man the crease. Starting two games this season, the 26-year-old has gone 1-0-1 behind a .934 save percentage.
"He makes tough saves look really easy," Yandle said of Bobrovsky. "He's been great, Driegs [Driedger] has been great. It's kind of one of those things where you need that. Goaltending is obviously the biggest thing in this league, and we've got two great ones."
As for the Red Wings, they're looking to snap out of a five-game losing streak. In that stretch, they've been outscored 22-9 to fall to last place in the Central Division. Recently, the Panthers had no shortage of success against Detroit, going a stellar 7-0-0 over their last seven meetings.
Tyler Bertuzzi leads the Red Wings in goals (5) and is tied with Dylan Larkin for the most points (7). After scoring in Saturday's loss, Bertuzzi but left the game after two periods with an upper-body injury. As of right now, he's considered questionable to compete against Florida tonight.
After stopping 23 of 26 shots on Saturday, Thomas Greiss could be back between the pipes for Detroit tonight if Jonathan Bernier is still unable to play. Owning a 2-1-0 record with a .881 save percentage this season, Bernier left Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Stars with an upper-body injury.
Over their last seven matchups, the Panthers have outscored the Red Wings 27-12.
"We've got to keep playing well and finding ways to get points," Yandle said.
TEAM RECORDS
FLA:4-0-1, 9 PTS
DET:2-5-2, 6 PTS
FLA all-time vs. DET: 24-17-5-6
PANTHERS NOTES
-- Aleksander Barkov has recorded six points (two goal, four assists) in five games this season. The 25-year-old center also leads the Panthers in shots (24) and faceoff win percentage (61.1). In 26 career games against the Red Wings, he's posted 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists).
-- After pacing the Panthers with 78 points (23 goals, 55 assists) in 2019-20, Jonathan Huberdeau has recorded one goal and four assists in five games this season. In 25 career games against Detroit, the 26-year-old winger has recorded 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists).
-- Aaron Ekblad has posted four points (one goal, three assists) and ranks fifth in the NHL in average ice time per game (26:45) through five contests this season. In 23 career games against Detroit, the 24-year-old defenseman has notched 15 points (two goals, 13 assists).
-- Patric Hornqvist has lit the lamp in three of five games to start the season and is tied with fellow newcomer Carter Verhaeghe for the most goals on the Panthers with four. Of Hornqvist's four goals, a team-high two have come on the power play.
-- Anthony Duclair leads Florida with six assists.
-- Radko Gudas leads the Panthers in hits (17); Noel Acciari has the most blocked shots (8).
PROJECTED LINEUP (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Forwards
Carter Verhaeghe - Aleksander Barkov - Anthony Duclair
Jonathan Huberdeau - Alex Wennberg - Patric Hornqvist
Frank Vatrano - Eetu Luostarinen - Owen Tippett
Aleksi Heponiemi - Juho Lammikko - Noel Acciari
Defensemen
MacKenzie Weegar - Aaron Ekblad
Markus Nutivaara - Anton Stralman
Keith Yandle - Radko Gudas
Goaltenders
Chris Driedger
Sergei Bobrovsky
Scratches: Brett Connolly, Vinnie Hinostroza, Noah Juulsen
Taxi Squad: Ryan Lomberg, Kevin Connauton, Mason Marchment, Philippe Desrosiers
Injured Reserve: Gustav Forsling (upper body)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Jan. 30: F Aleksi Heponiemi and F Owen Tippett were added to the Panthers active roster; F Ryan Lomberg was assigned to Florida's taxi squad; D Gustav Forsling was placed on IR.
HOW TO WATCH / LISTEN
When: Sunday, Jan. 31, 5:00 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena
TV: FOX Sports Florida
Stream:
FOX Sports GO
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 107.9/1370 WZTA (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM Streaming 932
Pre-Game Listen: Check out the latest episode of the Territory Talk podcast featuring Noel Acciari!
Territory Talk: Florida Panthers Podcast
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