BB&T Center | 7 P.M.
Television: Fox Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM | 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA
PANTHERS vs. BLACKHAWKS
ALL-TIME vs. CHI: 13-18-3-7
ALL-TIME HOME vs. CHI: 6-9-1-4
STREAKS: FLA has earned points in each of its last five games against CHI (0-2-3)…FLA is winless in each of its last three home games vs. CHI (0-1-2)
2019-20 vs. CHI: 1-0-1
LAST HOME WIN vs. CHI: Jan. 21, 2020 at CHI (4-3 W)
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (0-0-0) | CHICAGO (0-2-0) | |
| GOALS FOR | – | 3 (T-26th) |
| GOALS AGAINST | – | 10 (5th) |
| POWER PLAY % | – | 28.6 (T-8th) |
| PENALTY KILL % | – | 71.4 (T-18th) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | – | 30.0 (19th) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | – | 35.0 (6th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | – | 50.0 (T-15th) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | – | 49.5 (17th) |
CATS STATS
- Per NHL Stats, the Florida Panthers hold the NHL’s best points percentage when opening the season at home (.900), having yet to lose a game in regulation over 10 contests (8-0-2).
- The Panthers own a 4-1-0 mark over their last five home opening games.
- In each of Florida’s last three home opening games, they have scored at least four goals, earning wins in two of those three matchups.
- Through 13 career games vs. CHI, Jonathan Huberdeau has registered nine points (1-8-9)
- Over 14 career games vs. CHI, Aleksander Barkov has registered nine points (1-8-9)
- In franchise history, the Panthers have only played their season-opening game against CHI on two occasions, both games were played on the road. The Panthers are undefeated over their two season-opening contests against the Blackhawks (1-0-1-0).
- Veteran forward Patric Hornqvist brings two Stanley Cup Championships (2016, 2017) and over 750 games of experience to the lineup. Since 2009-10, Hornqvist has scored 236 goals, 152 even-strength goals and 84 power-play goals, the most among Swedish-born NHLers in that span.
- After a career-best 23-goal season with OTT in 2019-20, Anthony Duclair was named a 2020 NHL All-Star. The 25-year-old native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, ranked second on the Senators in 2019-20 in goals (23), third in even-strength goals (16) and tied for first in power-play goals (5).
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– Jan. 13: D Kevin Connauton agreed to terms on a one-year contract, F Grigori Denisenko, D Chase Priskie, F Cole Schwindt, F Scott Wilson loaned to Syracuse (AHL)
– Jan. 11: D Noah Juulsen claimed off waivers from MTL
– Jan. 9: D Gustav Forsling claimed off waivers from CAR
BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT
| PLAYER | FIRST GAME MISSED | NUMBER OF GAMES MISSED |
| – | – | – |
FLA-CHI CONNECTIONS
- FLA forward Anthony Duclair played 23 games for CHI (2017-18), recording eight points (2-6-8)
- FLA defenseman Gustav Forsling played all 122 games of his NHL career for CHI (2016-17 to 2018-19), notching 27 points (8-19-27)
- FLA forward Vinnie Hinostroza is a native of Chicago, Ill., and was selected by CHI in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He played 106 games for CHI (2015-16 to 2017-18), posting 39 points (13-26-39)
- FLA Head Coach Joel Quenneville served as Head Coach of CHI for 11 seasons (2008-09 to 2018-19), winning three Stanley Cup Championships and owning a 452-249-96 regular season coaching record.
- FLA Assistant Coach Andrew Brunette played 78 games for CHI (2011-12), recording 27 points (12-15-27)
- FLA Assistant Coach Ulf Samuelsson served as an Assistant Coach for CHI for two seasons (2017-18 to 2018-19)
- FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Rick Dudley served five seasons (2004-05 to 2008-09) for CHI as Director of Player Personnel and Assistant General Manager
- FLA Director of Player Personnel Bryan McCabe played 79 games for CHI (1999-00), posting 25 points (6-19-25)
- FLA Chief Commercial Officer Shawn Thornton played 31 games for CHI (2002-03 to 2005-06), recording three points (2-1-3) and 70 PIM
- FLA Director of Hockey Operations & Salary Cap Management Braden Birch was originally selected by CHI in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft
- CHI defenseman Connor Murphy’s father Gord Murphy played six seasons for FLA (1993-94 to 1998-99), posting 142 points (42-100-142) over 410 games and served as an assistant coach for four seasons (2010-11 to 2013-14)
- CHI forward Brandon Pirri appeared in 122 games for FLA over three seasons (2013-14 to 2015-16), amassing 62 points (40-22-62)
- CHI forward Lucas Wallmark played seven games for FLA (2019-20), posting two points (1-1-2)
CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY
| Franchise Goals | Franchise Assists | Franchise Points |
| 1. Olli Jokinen (188) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (289) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (437) |
| 2. Scott Mellanby (157) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (252) | 2. Olli Jokinen (419) |
| 3. Aleksander Barkov (155) | 3. Stephen Weiss (249) | 3. Aleksander Barkov (407) |
| 4. Pavel Bure (152) | 4. Olli Jokinen (231) | 4. Stephen Weiss (394) |
| 5. Jonathan Huberdeau (148) | 5. Robert Svehla (229) | 5. Scott Mellanby (354) |
PANTHERS LEADERS
Games Played: –
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Assists: –
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Power-Play Goals: –
Power-Play Points: –
Shorthanded Goals: –
Shorthanded Points: –
Shots: –
PIM: –
+/-: –
Faceoff Win %: –
Blocked Shots: –
Hits: –
TOI/GP: –
PP TOI/GP: –
SH TOI/GP: –
Wins: –
Shutouts: –
MILESTONE WATCH
Ryan Lomberg…1 Goal Away…1st NHL Goal
Eetu Luostarinen…1 Goal Away…1st NHL Goal
Riley Stillman…1 Goal Away…1st NHL Goal
Keith Yandle…1 Goal Away…100th NHL Goal
Brett Connolly…2 Goals Away…100th NHL Goal
Brett Connolly…4 Games Away…500th NHL Game
Radko Gudas…6 Assists Away…100th NHL Game
TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER
- 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.
- Tonight’s Opening Night is a BB&T Now Truist takeover night.
PANTHERS COMMUNITY HEROES
- City Furniture Military Hero: Thomas Gibson
Tonight’s Hero Among Us is US Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander, Thomas Gibson. Thomas has served a total of 14 years active duty and is still serving in the US Coast Guard. He has been deployed to Afghanistan and Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
- BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Deputy Aaron Moore
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GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
Jan. 12, 2020: In a 8-4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Cats forward Jonathan Huberdeau recorded a goal and an assist, marking his 419th and 420th NHL points to tie and surpass Olli Jokinen for the Panthers franchise points record.
