Nationwide Arena | 7 P.M.
Television: Fox Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM | 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA/SIRIUSXM Streaming 932
PANTHERS vs. BLUE JACKETS
ALL-TIME vs. CBJ: 11-14-9
ALL-TIME ROAD vs. CBJ: 4-10-4
STREAKS: FLA has earned points in each of its last two games against CBJ (1-0-1)
2020-21 vs. CBJ: 1-0-0
LAST ROAD WIN vs. CBJ: Jan. 21, 2021 (4-3 W [Shootout])
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (3-0-0) | COLUMBUS (2-2-3) | |
| GOALS FOR | 13 (T-26th) | 18 (17th) |
| GOALS AGAINST | 9 (29th) | 21 (T-11th) |
| POWER PLAY % | 27.3 (T-10th) | 5.3 (30th) |
| PENALTY KILL % | 72.7 (T-24th) | 87.5 (7th) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | 32.3 (11th) | 28.9 (T-19th) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | 29.3 (16th) | 33.1 (7th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 54.2 (6th) | 46.3 (27th) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | 49.4 (16th) | 47.6 (24th) |
CATS STATS
- The Panthers enter tonight’s game with a 3-0-0 record, marking the first time in franchise history that the club has started a season with three consecutive wins. With a win tonight at CBJ, the Panthers can tie the second-longest point streak to start a season in club history.
- Florida’s 4-3 shootout win vs. CBJ on Jan. 26, marked the club’s first win at Nationwide Arena since Dec. 4, 2015 (2-1, shootout).
- Patric Hornqvist scored the second-latest game-tying goal in franchise history, behind only Ivan Novoseltsev’s marker at 19:58 of the third period on Dec. 21, 2002 (Per NHL Stats).
- The Panthers last road regulation win against CBJ was on Nov. 21, 2007 (5-2 W).
- Forward Brett Connolly is expected to play in his 500th NHL game tonight
- Four different Panthers have recorded points in each of the club’s first three games: Patric Hornqvist (4-1-5), Carter Verhaeghe (3-2-5), Aleksander Barkov (1-3-4), and Aaron Ekblad (1-2-3).
- Florida’s penalty kill finished with a perfect 6-6 PK% on Jan. 26 at CBJ.
- Anthony Duclair enters tonight’s game with a team-leading four assists, notching two assists in each of his last two games.
- Noel Acciari leads FLA with seven blocked shots and 3:51 shorthanded time on ice per game.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– Jan. 23: D Brady Keeper and D Riley Stillman assigned from FLA Taxi Squad to Syracuse (AHL)
– Jan. 22: F Juho Lammikko added to active roster
– Jan. 20: D Riley Stillman loaned to FLA Taxi Squad, G Sam Montembeault assigned to Syracuse (AHL)
– Jan. 19: G Sergei Bobrovsky added to active roster, G Sam Montembeault loaned to FLA Taxi Squad
– Jan. 18: D Noah Juulsen added to active roster
– 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
FLA-CBJ CONNECTIONS
- FLA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky played seven seasons for CBJ (2012-13 to 2018-19), posting a .921 save percentage, 2.41 goals against average, and 33 shutouts over 374 appearances. He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender in 2012-13 and 2016-17.
- FLA forward Alex Wennberg played six seasons for CBJ (2014-15 to 2019-20), producing 201 points (40-161-201) over 415 games. Wennberg was originally selected by CBJ in the first round (14th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
- FLA defenseman Markus Nutivaara played four seasons for CBJ (2016-17 to 2019-20), notching 60 points (17-43-60) over 244 games. He was originally selected by CBJ in the fifth round (189th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
- FLA defenseman Anton Stralman played two seasons for CBJ (2009-10 to 2010-11), recording 52 points (7-45-52) over 124 games.
- FLA forward Anthony Duclair played 53 games for CBJ (2018-19), registering 19 points (11-8-19).
- FLA defenseman Kevin Connauton played two seasons for CBJ (2014-15 to 2015-16), recording 27 points (10-17-27) over 81 games.
- FLA General Manager Bill Zito served in CBJ’s front office for seven seasons (2013-14 to 2019-20), finishing his tenure as Senior Vice President of Hockey Ops., Associate General Manager and Alternate Governor.
- FLA Vice President of Player Personnel & Development Gregory Campbell played 82 games for CBJ in 2015-16, recording 11 points (3-8-11). He also served as development coach for CBJ and their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters for three seasons (2017-18 to 2019-20).
- FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Paul Fenton served one season (2019-20) as a scout for CBJ.
- FLA Assistant to the General Manager Blake Geoffrion served four seasons with CBJ as a scout (2013-14 to 2015-16, 2019-20) and three seasons as Assistant General Manager for CBJ’s AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters (2016-17 to 2018-19).
- FLA Assistant to the General Manager Tom Bark served five seasons (2015-16 to 2019-20) in CBJ’s front office as an analyst and Special Assistant to the General Manager.
- FLA Assistant Coach Derek MacKenzie played seven seasons (2007-08 to 2013-14) for CBJ and the club’s AHL affiliate at the time, the Syracuse Crunch. He amassed 69 points (31-38-69) in 279 games for CBJ.
- FLA forward Aleksander Barkov and CBJ forward Patrik Laine are both from Tampere, Finland and both played for Tappara in Liiga.
- CBJ forward Nick Foligno’s father Mike Foligno played his final NHL season with FLA in 1993-94, posting nine points (4-5-9) over 39 games.
CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY
| Franchise Goals | Franchise Assists | Franchise Points |
| 1. Olli Jokinen (188) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (292) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (441) |
| 2. Scott Mellanby (157) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (255) | 2. Olli Jokinen (419) |
| 3. Aleksander Barkov (156) | 3. Stephen Weiss (249) | 3. Aleksander Barkov (411) |
| 4. Pavel Bure (152) | 4. Olli Jokinen (231) | 4. Stephen Weiss (394) |
| 5. Jonathan Huberdeau (149) | 5. Robert Svehla (229) | 5. Scott Mellanby (354) |
PANTHERS LEADERS
Games Played: 16 Players (3)
Goals: Hornqvist (4)
Assists: Duclair (4)
Points: Hornqvist/Verhaeghe (5)
Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (2)
Power-Play Points: Hornqvist (3)
Shorthanded Goals: –
Shorthanded Points: –
Shots: Barkov (16)
PIM: Tippett (4)
+/-: Verhaeghe/Duclair (+4)
Faceoff Win %: Barkov (62.7)
Blocked Shots: Acciari (7)
Hits: Gudas (13)
TOI/GP: Ekblad (26:51)
PP TOI/GP: Yandle (3:29)
SH TOI/GP: Acciari (3:51)
Wins: Bobrovsky (2)
Shutouts: –
ACTIVE STREAKS
Goal Streak Hornqvist (3 Games, 4 Goals), Verhaeghe (2 Games, 3 Goals)
Assist Streak Duclair (2 Games, 4 Assists), Ekblad (2 Games, 2 Assists), Weegar (2 Games, 2 Assists),
Wennberg (2 Games, 2 Assists)
Point Streak Hornqvist (3 Games, 4-1-5), Verhaeghe (3 Games, 3-2-5), Barkov (3 Games, 1-3-4), Ekblad (3 Games, 1-2-3), Duclair (2 Games, 0-4-4), Weegar (2 Games, 0-2-2), Wennberg (2 Games, 0-2-2)
MILESTONE WATCH
Ryan Lomberg…1 Goal Away…1st NHL Goal
Brett Connolly…1 Game Away…500th NHL Game
Brett Connolly…2 Goals Away…100th NHL Goal
Radko Gudas…5 Assists Away…100th NHL Assist
Jonathan Huberdeau…8 Assists Away…400th NHL Assist
RECENT MILESTONES
Eetu Luostarinen…1st NHL goal…Jan. 17 vs. CHI
Keith Yandle…100th NHL goal…Jan. 17 vs. CHI
