BB&T Center | 7 P.M.
Television: Fox Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM | 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 221/STREAMING 932
PANTHERS vs. STARS
ALL-TIME vs. DAL: 17-17-3-1
ALL-TIME HOME vs. DAL: 8-10-1-1
2019-20 vs. DAL: 1-0-0
LAST HOME WIN vs. DAL: Dec. 20, 2019 (7-4 W)
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (11-3-2) | DALLAS (5-3-4) | |
| GOALS FOR | 55 (T-9th) | 40 (24th) |
| GOALS AGAINST | 46 (T-19th) | 32 (30th) |
| POWER PLAY % | 30.4 (6th) | 33.3 (T-2nd) |
| PENALTY KILL % | 79.2 (17th) | 78.0 (18th) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | 32.4 (2nd) | 27.8 (27th) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | 30.7 (11th) | 27.4 (T-27th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 51.7 (T-8th) | 52.6 (6th) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | 48.5 (23rd) | 49.6 (17th) |
CATS STATS
- Florida begins a three-game home series against DAL tonight, facing them for the first time this season. Originally scheduled to face the Stars on Jan. 14-15, the games were postponed. The Panthers own a 2-1-0 record over its last three home games against the Stars, with the Cats earning a victory in their last meeting on Dec. 20, 2019.
- Over their last two matchups against DAL, Jonathan Huberdeau has recorded five points (1-4-5) and Aleksander Barkov has registered four points (2-2-4)
- The Panthers own an 11-3-2 record over the club’s first 16 games. Florida’s 24 points over the club’s first 15 games matched the most in franchise history (24 points, 10-1-4, 1996-97). Entering its 17th game of the season tonight, Florida’s franchise record for points accumulated over its first 20 games stands at 30 points (12-2-6), set in the 1996-97 season.
- Heading into tonight’s contest, the Panthers own a 5-2-1 record on home ice and have won two of their last three home games. Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Cats with 12 points (4-8-12) registered at BB&T Center. Huberdeau, Patric Hornqvist and Carter Verhaeghe have each registered a team-best four goals at home.
- Frank Vatrano has scored a goal in each of Florida’s last two home games (2G).
- Aleksander Barkov enters tonight’s game with six points (3-3-6) over his last four games. Barkov posted a season-high three-point effort (1-2-3) on Feb. 19 at DET.
- Jonathan Huberdeau has recorded multi-point performances in three of his last four games, amassing seven points (3-4-7) in that span. The fastest Panther to reach the 20-point mark in franchise history, Huberdeau leads the Cats in points (22) and assists (15), while tied for the team lead in even-strength points (13) and power-play points (9).
- Huberdeau is expected to pass Scott Mellanby tonight for the fifth-most games ever played by a Panther (553).
- Aaron Ekblad ranks second on the club with three power-play goals and is tied with Robert Svehla (26) for the most power-play goals by a defenseman in franchise history. His fifth goal of the season on Feb. 19 at DET matched his goal total for the 2019-20 season (5G in 67 GP).
- Patric Hornqvist enters tonight’s game with a team-leading eight goals and 15 points (8-7-15) in 16 GP with FLA. The 34-year-old native of Sollentuna, Sweden produced his second multi-goal game of the season on Feb. 19 at DET, tallying twice, including his second game-winning goal of the season.
- Anthony Duclair has produced four points (2-2-4) over his last four games. The 25-year-old forward registered his third multi-point performance of the season on Feb. 19 at DET, posting a goal and an assist.
- Alex Wennberg enters tonight’s game with five goals and seven points over his last eight games. Wennberg has registered eight of his nine points (4-4- 8) at even-strength, tallying his first power-play goal of the season on Feb. 20 at DET.
- MacKenzie Weegar has produced three points (1-2-3) over his last four games. In that span, Weegar has logged a team-leading 78:42 even-strength TOI.
- Keith Yandle registered a season-high three assists on Feb. 19 at DET. He is tied for the eighth-most career power-play points all-time among U.S.- born defensemen (274) and is one power-play point shy of passing Reed Larson (273) for sole possession of eighth.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– Feb. 17: D Gustav Forsling activated from IR, F Noel Acciari placed on IR
FLA-DAL CONNECTIONS
- FLA defenseman Kevin Connauton played 44 games for DAL (2013-14 to 2014-15), producing 10 points (1-9-10).
- FLA goaltender Philippe Desrosiers was selected by DAL in the second round (54th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
- DAL defenseman Mark Pysyk played 292 games (2016-17 to 2019-20) for FLA, registering 62 points (17-45-62).
- FLA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and DAL forward Blake Comeau were teammates on CBJ from 2012-13 to 2013-14.
- FLA forwards Patric Hornqvist and Alex Wennberg were teammates with DAL defenseman John Klingberg on Team Sweden at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.
- FLA goaltender Philippe Desrosiers and DAL forward Jason Dickinson were teammates on Team Canada at the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship, earning Gold Medals.
- FLA forward Patric Hornqvist and DAL forward Alexander Radulov were teammates on NSH (2011-12).
- FLA forward Vinnie Hinostroza and DAL defenseman Stephen Johns were teammates at the University of Notre Dame (2013-14).
- FLA forward Frank Vatrano and DAL defenseman Joel Hanley were teammates at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (2013-14).
- FLA Amateur Scout Bill Ryan and DAL goaltender Ben Bishop were teammates at the University of Maine (2005-06 to 2007-08).
- FLA forward Aleksander Barkov and DAL forward Roope Hintz share the hometown of Tampere, Finland.
- FLA forward Carter Verhaeghe and DAL forward Ty Dellandrea share the hometown of Toronto, Ontario.
- FLA Chief Commercial Officer Shawn Thornton was teammates with DAL forward Tyler Seguin and DAL Director of Player Development Rich Peverley on the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins.
- FLA Director of Amateur Scouting Shane Churla served as an amateur scout for DAL for seven seasons (2005-06 to 2012-13). He also played 366 games (1988-89 to 1995-96) for MNS/DAL, recording 60 points (24-36-60).
- DAL Senior Advisor Marty Turco played for FLA Head Coach Joel Quenneville on CHI (2010-11). Turco was also teammates with FLA Chief Commercial Officer Shawn Thornton on BOS (2011-12).
- FLA Director of Professional Scouting Al Tuer played six games (1987-88) for MNS, notching one assist.
- FLA Professional Scout Patrick Eaves played 160 games (2014-15 to 2016-17), registering 81 points (46-35-81).
- FLA Professional Scout Les Jackson spent 31 seasons (1985-86 to 1997-98, 2001-02 to 2019-20) in the MNS/DAL organization as a Scout, Assistant Coach, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, Director of Hockey Operations, Director Player Development, Director of Player Personnel, and Senior Advisor.
- FLA Assistant Athletic Trainer Tommy Alva served as Assistant Athletic Trainer for DAL from 2003-04 to 2006-07 and is a native of Dallas, Texas.
CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY
| Franchise Goals | Franchise Assists | Franchise Points |
| 1. Olli Jokinen (188) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (304) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (459) |
| 2. Aleksander Barkov (161) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (264) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (425) |
| 3. Scott Mellanby (157) | 3. Stephen Weiss (249) | 3. Olli Jokinen (419) |
| 4. Jonathan Huberdeau (155) | 4. Olli Jokinen (231) | 4. Stephen Weiss (394) |
| 5. Pavel Bure (152) | 5. Robert Svehla (229) | 5. Scott Mellanby (354) |
PANTHERS LEADERS
Games Played: 12 Players (16)
Goals: Hornqvist (8)
Assists: Huberdeau (15)
Points: Huberdeau (22)
Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (5)
Power-Play Points: Huberdeau/Yandle (9)
Shorthanded Goals: –
Shorthanded Points: –
Shots: Barkov (55)
PIM: Yandle (24)
+/-: Gudas/Verhaeghe (+7)
Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (54.3)
Blocked Shots: Gudas (19)
Hits: Gudas (84)
TOI/GP: Ekblad (24:55)
PP TOI/GP: Yandle (3:26)
SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:58)
Wins: Driedger (6)
Shutouts: –
ACTIVE STREAKS
Goal Streak None
Assist Streak Duclair (2 Assists, 2 Games)
Point Streak Wennberg (3 Games, 2-1-3), Duclair (2 Games, 1-2-3)
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.
- 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: Mike Heller
Tonight’s Hero Among Us is United States Marine Corps veteran Mike Heller. Mike deployed to Iraq and Africa during his 7 years of service. In addition, he is the recipient of a Purple Heart. Mike currently plays for the Panthers Warriors Hockey team.
- BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Zach Hertzbach
GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
Feb. 25, 2019: Roberto Luongo recorded his 485th career win in a 4-3 OT defeat of the Colorado Avalanche on the road, becoming the third-winningest goalie in NHL history.
