BB&T Center | 7:00 P.M. ET
Television: Bally Sports Sun | DirecTV 653-1 | AT&T U-Verse 1723 | ESPN+
Radio: 560 WQAM | 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 220/APP & STREAMING CH. 932
PANTHERS vs. LIGHTNING
ALL-TIME vs. TBL: 69-48-10-17
ALL-TIME HOME vs. TBL: 40-16-4-10
2020-21 vs. TBL: 3-2-1
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (35-14-5) | TAMPA BAY (36-15-3) | |
| GOALS FOR | 179 (T-4th most) | 179 (T-4th most) |
| GOALS AGAINST | 150 (13th fewest) | 136 (6th fewest) |
| POWER PLAY % | 21.2 (12th) | 23.7 (6th) |
| PENALTY KILL % | 78.5 (22nd) | 83.7 (T-5th) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | 35.0 (1st) | 30.2 (T-8th most) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | 30.1 (T-15th fewest) | 28.1 (6th fewest) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 53.6 (5th) | 52.6 (7th) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | 50.4 (13th) | 49.9 (18th) |
CATS STATS
- All three of Florida’s wins vs. TBL this season have been recorded during regulation, marking the first time the club has registered three regulation regular season wins vs. TBL since 2015-16. Florida has not won four games in a season against TBL, in any fashion, since the 2010-11 season and hasn’t won four games in regulation against TBL since 2007-08.
- Through FLA’s six games against TBL this season, Aleksander Barkov leads the Cats with six points (1-5-6), while Frank Vatrano has posted a team-best four goals.
- Florida owns a 9-2-1 record over their last 12 games. Over that span, the Panthers have scored 47 goals, the fourth-highest in the NHL. Of those 47 goals, 16 were tallied in the first period, tying NYR for the second-most first period goals since April 13. Through the 12-game clip, Jonathan Huberdeau has produced a team-leading 17 points (5-12-17) and Aleksander Barkov has scored a team-high nine goals, while Sergei Bobrovksy (3- 1-0) and Spencer Knight (4-0-0) have each earned at least three wins.
- Owning an 18-5-3 record on home ice this season, the Panthers own an 11-2-0 mark over their last 13 games played at BB&T Center. Florida has allowed 2.00 home goals against per-game over that span, tied for the third-fewest in the NHL, while scoring 3.69 home goals per game.
- The Panthers are the first team in the NHL to have eight players score at least 10 goals this season: Barkov (26), Huberdeau (19), Vatrano (18), Verhaeghe (17), Hornqvist (14), Wennberg (13), Ekblad (11), Duclair (10).
- Aleksander Barkov has produced 13 goals and 19 points (13-6-19) over his last 17 games and 12 points (8-4-12) over his last 10 games. The only Panther in franchise history to reach 50 points in six consecutive seasons, Barkov has registered at least 20 goals in six consecutive seasons, a franchise record.
- Barkov tallied his 26th goal of the season in OT on May 3 vs. DAL, marking his sixth career OT GWG and second of the season. Only Olli Jokinen (10) has scored more OT goals in a Panthers uniform than Barkov. The 25-year-old native of Tampere, Finland, leads FLA in goals (26), even-strength goals (18), even-strength points (37) and shots on goal (172), while ranking second on the club in points (56), assists (30) and tied for second in takeaways (37). Barkov owns a team-best 54.5 faceoff win percentage while averaging 21:08 TOI per game, the most among all FLA forwards.
- Jonathan Huberdeau enters tonight’s game with 17 points (5-12-17) over his last 12 games, while owning a +15 rating. He has notched seven points (3-4-7) over his last four games. Huberdeau matched his career-high for points in a game with a five-point performance (2-3-5) on April 27 at NSH. He is the only player in franchise history to have registered two five-point games with the Panthers. The native of Saint-Jerome, Quebec, was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week for the week ending April 25.
- Huberdeau amassed seven points (1-6-7) and a +6 rating over four games through the week. He ranks first on FLA in points (59), assists (40) and power-play points (23), while ranking second in even-strength points (35) and tied for second in takeaways (37). Huberdeau is one point shy of his fourth career season with at least 60 points. Florida’s franchise leader in assists (329) and points (496) is four points away from becoming the first Panthers player in franchise history to record 500 points for the club.
- Huberdeau has produced 36 points (12-24-36) over 37 career games vs. TBL, the most against any single team in his career.
- Anthony Duclair enters tonight’s game with 17 points (7-10-17) over his last 14 games played and points in five of his last six games (4-3-7). Over Duclair’s last 14 games played, he owns a league-best +16 rating, and has registered 15 of his 17 points at even-strength. With a three-point performance (2-1-3) on May 1 at CHI, Duclair tied his season-high for points in a game, while posting his first multi-goal game with FLA. The 25-year-old owns a career-best +25 rating this season, tied for the highest on FLA and tied for fifth among NHL forwards.
- Since his debut with FLA on April 17, Sam Bennett has amassed 13 points (5-8-13) in nine games, scoring five goals over his last eight games played. With two assists on May 1 at CHI, Bennett tied Pavel Bure (10-3-13) for the most points by a Panthers player in their first nine games with the club and Brian Campbell (8) for most assists through their first nine contests with the Cats. With a point tonight, Bennett would record the most points by a Panther in their first 10 games. Bennett’s two assists at CHI surpassed his point total prior being traded to FLA (4-8-12 in 38 GP). The 24-year-old owns a five-game point streak (2-6-8). Acquired from CGY on April 12, Bennett has recorded points in 12 of his last 13 total games played, amassing 18 points over that span (5-13-18).
- MacKenzie Weegar has produced eight points (2-6-8) over his last six games. Over the six-game span, Weegar has produced points at even-strength, on the power play, shorthanded and in OT, while tied for first among NHL defensemen in points. With a career-high four-point game (1-3-4) on April 24 vs. CAR, Weegar tied the franchise record for points by a defenseman in a game.
- Weegar ranks first among NHL defensemen in even-strength points (29) and takeaways (39). His +25 rating ranks tied for first on FLA and fifth among NHL defensemen. He leads FLA in blocked shots (80) and ranks second on the club in hits (113). Weegar’s career-high 34 points and 29 assists lead all FLA defensemen.
- Keith Yandle is one point shy of his 600th NHL point. Upon reaching his 600th point, Yandle can become the 10th U.S.-born defenseman in NHL history to reach this milestone and the first from Massachusetts. Yandle produced two assists on May 3 vs. DAL, with his second helper being his 200th assist in a Panthers uniform. Yandle is also three assists shy of his 500th NHL assist. Upon reaching his 500th assist, Yandle can become the eighth U.S.-born defenseman to post 500 assists. Yandle’s 921 consecutive games played streak is the longest active games played streak in the NHL and second-longest in NHL history.
- With his 18th win of the season on May 1 at CHI, Sergei Bobrovsky is four wins shy of his 300th NHL win, joining Evgeni Nabokov (353) and Nikolai Khabibulin (333) as only the third Russian-born goaltender to earn 300 wins in the NHL. Bobrovsky is two wins away from tying Mark Fitzpatrick (43) for the fifth-most wins in Panthers history.
- Owen Tippett recorded two assists on May 3 vs. DAL to improve to five points (2-3-5) over his last four games. Over Florida’s last five games, Tippett has accumulated a team-high 21 shots on goal.
- Grigori Denisenko owns a three-game assist streak (0-4-4).
- Spencer Knight has earned wins in each of his four appearances this season, becoming the youngest goaltender in NHL history to start his career with four wins (20 years, 14 days).
- Frank Vatrano‘s team-leading seven game-winning goals are the most in a season on FLA since Aleksander Barkov’s eight GWGs in 2015-16.
- Brandon Montour has produced three points (1-2-3) over his last three games. Montour has notched four points (2-2-4) in 11 games with FLA.
- Radko Gudas leads the NHL in hits (235), averaging 4.52 hits per game.
- Gustav Forsling has notched three points (1-2-3) over his last two games.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– May 4: G Philippe Desrosiers loaned to Taxi Squad
– May 3: G Philippe Desrosiers recalled from Taxi Squad
FLA-TBL CONNECTIONS
- FLA defenseman Radko Gudas was selected by TBL in the third round (66th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft. He played 126 games for TBL (2012-13 to 2014-15), producing 32 pts (7-25-32).
- FLA defenseman Anton Stralman played 355 games for TBL (2014-15 to 2018-19), amassing 130 points (29-101-130). Stralman went to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final with TBL, recording 10 points (1-9-10) over 26 games during the 2014-15 Stanley Cup playoffs.
- FLA forward Carter Verhaeghe played 52 games for TBL (2019-20), notching 13 points (9-4-13). He won the 2020 Stanley Cup with TBL, producing two assists over eight postseason games.
- FLA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (2013-14 to 2016-17), FLA forward Alex Wennberg (2014-15 to 2016-17) and FLA defenseman Markus Nutivaara (2016-17) were teammates with TBL goaltender Curtis McElhinney on CBJ.
- FLA defenseman Anton Stralman was teammates with TBL defenseman Ryan McDonagh on NYR from 2011-12 to 2013-14, including an appearance in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
- FLA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was teammates with TBL goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and TBL forward Nikita Kucherov on Team Russia at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
- FLA defenseman Brandon Montour was teammates with TBL forwards Anthony Cirelli and Mathieu Joseph on Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championships, earning Silver Medals.
- FLA forward Nikita Gusev was teammates with TBL goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and TBL forward Nikita Kucherov on Team Russia at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships, earning Silver Medals.
- TBL Head Coach Jon Cooper served as Assistant Coach on Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey which included FLA defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
- FLA defenseman Anton Stralman and TBL defenseman Victor Hedman were teammates on Team Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championships, earning Gold Medals.
- FLA forward Anthony Duclair and TBL forward Brayden Point were teammates on Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships, earning Gold Medals.
- FLA forward Carter Verhaeghe and TBL forward Gemel Smith share the hometown of Toronto, Ontario.
- FLA forward Owen Tippett and TBL forward Mitchell Stephens are cousins and share the hometown of Peterborough, Ontario.
- FLA forward Alex Wennberg and TBL defenseman Andreas Borgman share the hometown of Stockholm, Sweden.
- FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Rick Dudley served as General Manager of TBL from 1999-00 to 2001-02.
CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY
| Franchise Goals | Franchise Assists | Franchise Points |
| 1. Olli Jokinen (188) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (329) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (496) |
| 2. Aleksander Barkov (181) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (282) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (463) |
| 3. Jonathan Huberdeau (167) | 3. Stephen Weiss (249) | 3. Olli Jokinen (419) |
| 4. Scott Mellanby (157) | 4. Olli Jokinen (231) | 4. Stephen Weiss (394) |
| 5. Pavel Bure (152) | 5. Robert Svehla (229) | 5. Scott Mellanby (354) |
PANTHERS LEADERS
Games Played: Yandle, Wennberg, Vatrano, Huberdeau (54)
Goals: Barkov (26)
Assists: Huberdeau (40)
Points: Huberdeau (59)
Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (8)
Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (23)
Shorthanded Goals: Barkov/Verhaeghe/Wennberg (1)
Shorthanded Points: Weegar (2)
Shots: Barkov (172)
PIM: Weegar (43)
+/-: Weegar/Duclair (+25)
Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (54.5)
Blocked Shots: Weegar (80)
Hits: Gudas (235)
TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:05)
PP TOI/GP: Yandle (4:22)
SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:39)
Wins: Bobrovsky (18)
Shutouts: Driedger (2)
ACTIVE STREAKS
Goal Streak Barkov (2 Games, 2 Goals), Gusev (2 Games, 2 Goals)
Assist Streak Denisenko (3 Games, 4 Assists), Barkov (2 Games, 2 Assists)
Point Streak Denisenko (3 Games, 0-4-4), Barkov (2 Games, 2-2-4), Forsling (2 Games, 1-2-3), Tippett (2 Games, 1-2-3), Gusev (2 Games, 2-0-2)
TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER
- Tonight is a Reverse Retro Saturday at BB&T Center. The Panthers will wear their adidas Reverse Retro jerseys six times this season. The team’s crest is featured front and center, while palm tree graphics on the shoulders and pointed sleeve stripes add considerable design details that nod to the South Florida region. The ’96 on the collar honors the Florida Panthers 1996 team who reached the Stanley Cup Final in only their third season in the National Hockey League. Fans can purchase these jerseys by visiting FLATeamShop.com.
- Tonight, fans will be able to give back to the Florida Panthers Foundation through the 50/50 raffle. Fans at BB&T Center can purchase 50/50 raffle tickets at select kiosks throughout the arena or online for fans who are within a 75-mile radius of the game at FlaPanthers5050.com and in the Florida Panthers mobile application. Ticket prices include: 5 for $10, 20 for $20, 80 for $40, and 300 for $100.
- Contactless, Mobile Food Ordering is now available for all games at BB&T Center. The Florida Panthers are offering fans safe and convenient purchasing experiences while at the BB&T Center, enabling mobile ordering through the NHL league-wide app, and contactless purchases and payments via self-service kiosks and user-friendly Clover devices at concession stands throughout the arena. Learn more at FloridaPanthers.com/MobileOrdering.
- The BB&T Center is the first National Hockey League Building to Achieve Well Health-Safety Certification. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing building and space types focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future. The Florida Panthers & BB&T Center guests can expect:
- WELL Certified and improved cleaning procedures throughout the building
- Routine maintenance and improved air filtration through arena
- Emergency response plan and protocols
- Robust safety plans for employee health and wellness
PANTHERS COMMUNITY HEROES
- City Furniture Military Hero: Cory Cody
Tonight’s Hero Among Us is United States Marine Corps veteran Cory Cody. Cory served a total of four years in the military which included a deployment to Afghanistan. He is the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/ 1 Star), and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
- BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: David Milinare
GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
May 9, 1996: Dave Lowry tips an Ed Jovanovski shot past Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall in overtime of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Miami Arena to even the series 2-2. John Vanbiesbrouck stopped 43 of 46 PHI shots and Rob Niedermayer tallied FLA’s first two goals of the game.
