FEB. 27, 2021 vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES
BB&T Center | 7 P.M.
Television: Fox Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM | 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 220/STREAMING 932
PANTHERS vs. HURRICANES
ALL-TIME vs. CAR: 51-50-11-13
ALL-TIME HOME vs. CAR: 31-14-8-9
STREAKS: FLA has won each of its last two games against CAR
2020-21 vs. CAR: 1-0-0
LAST HOME WIN vs. CAR: April 2, 2018 (3-2 W)
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (13-4-2) | CAROLINA (12-6-1) | |
| GOALS FOR | 61 (10th) | 62 (T-8th) |
| GOALS AGAINST | 52 (T-18th) | 52 (17th) |
| POWER PLAY % | 26.4 (8th) | 25.8 (9th) |
| PENALTY KILL % | 80.0 (15th) | 80.3 (14th) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | 34.1 (1st) | 31.8 (6th) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | 30.6 (T-13th) | 27.9 (28th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 53.2 (6th) | 54.0 (3rd) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | 48.7 (T-21st) | 54.4 (2nd) |
CATS STATS
- The Panthers stand at first in the Central Division, owning a 13-4-2 record and 28 points over the club’s first 19 games. With a win tonight, the Panthers can tie franchise bests for wins accumulated over its first 20 games of a season (14 wins, 1995-96) and points accumulated in the same span of games (30 pts, 1996-97).
- Florida owns a 6-0-0 record this season in games following a loss. Per NHL Stats, the Panthers are the only team this season undefeated following a loss of any kind.
- With a win tonight, the Panthers can tie their franchise record for wins in the month of February (9 wins, 2017-18).
- Heading into tonight’s contest, the Panthers own a 7-3-1 record on home ice and have won four of their last six home games (4-2-0). Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Cats with 13 points (4-9-13) registered at BB&T Center. Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Patric Hornqvist, Frank Vatrano and Carter Verhaeghe have each registered a team-best four goals at home.
- Entering the third period without a goal on Feb. 25 vs. DAL, Florida scored three unanswered goals in 3:11 of the final 6:21 of regulation to erase a 2-0 deficit. The Cats have come back to tie a game four times in the third period this season, Feb. 25 vs. DAL was the first to have a regulation finish. Per NHL Stats, Florida’s third period rally marked the fifth time in franchise history that the Panthers overcame a multi-goal deficit in the third period to win in regulation when entering the period without a goal.
- Over Florida’s last six games (Feb. 17-Feb. 24), the club has accumulated a league-leading 245 shots on goal. In that span, Aleksander Barkov has logged a team-leading 25 shots and three goals. Through the six games, the Panthers have averaged 40.8 shots per game. The Cats registered a season-high 52 shots on goal on Feb. 22 vs. DAL, marking the highest shot total in a game for all NHL teams this season.
- Aleksander Barkov enters tonight’s game with nine points (4-5-9) over his last seven games and two goals over his last three games. Owning the second-most points in franchise history, Barkov’s goal on Feb. 25 vs. DAL marked his 300th career even-strength point.
- Jonathan Huberdeau has amassed seven points (3-4-7) over his last seven games. Huberdeau leads the Cats in points (23) and assists (16), while tied for the team lead in even-strength points (14) and power-play points (9).
- Sergei Bobrovsky improved to a 6-2-1 record and 4-1-1 home record after a season-high 37 save performance on Feb. 25 vs. DAL. He owns a 3-1-0 record over his last four starts on home ice.
- Chris Driedger has earned wins in four of his last five starts (4-1-0). Through the five-start span, Driedger has posted a .950 save percentage during a FLA penalty kill.
- With his fifth goal of the season on Feb. 25 vs. DAL, Frank Vatrano registered his second game-winning goal of 2020-21. The goal was his 50th tally in a Panthers uniform since joining the club in 2017-18. Vatrano has scored all five of his goals this season at even-strength.
- On Feb. 25, Keith Yandle played in his 885th consecutive NHL game, passing Steve Larmer for the third-longest “Ironman” streak in NHL history. Yandle’s streak is the longest active in the NHL and began on March 26, 2009. The Boston, Mass., native has recorded five points (1-4-5) over his last six games.
- Patric Hornqvist enters tonight’s game with a team-leading (tied) eight goals and 16 points (8-8-16) in 19 GP with FLA. The 34-year-old has produced eight points (3-5-8) over his last 10 games played.
- MacKenzie Weegar has produced five points (1-4-5) over his last seven games. The native of Ottawa, Ontario leads the Panthers with 384:48 total even strength TOI. Weegar’s nine even-strength points (1-8-9), leads all Panthers defensemen.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– Feb. 25: F Mason Marchment, D Kevin Connauton recalled from FLA Taxi Squad, F Owen Tippett loaned to FLA Taxi Squad, F Grigori Denisenko reassigned from SYR (AHL) to FLA Taxi Squad, D Markus Nutivaara placed on IR.
– Feb. 24: D Max Gildon reassigned from SYR (AHL) to BAK (AHL), D Tommy Cross assigned to PRO (AHL)
– Feb. 22: D Riley Stillman reassigned from SYR (AHL) to FLA Taxi Squad, F Scott Wilson reassigned to SYR (AHL)
FLA-CAR CONNECTIONS
- FLA forward Eetu Luostarinen was selected by CAR in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. He played eight games for CAR, producing one assist.
- FLA defenseman Gustav Forsling played 57 games (2019-20) for CAR’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, registering 26 points (8-18-26).
- CAR forward Vincent Trocheck was selected by FLA in the third round (64th overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft. He played 420 games (2013-14 to 2019-20) for FLA, amassing 282 points (111-171-282).
- CAR goaltender James Reimer appeared in 123 games for FLA, posting a 53-42-16 record, .912 save percentage, and 2.85 goals against average.
- CAR forward Teuvo Teravainen played under FLA Head Coach Joel Quenneville with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning a Stanley Cup in 2015.
- FLA defenseman Anton Stralman and CAR forward Jesper Fast were teammates on NYR (2013-14), including an appearance in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
- FLA forward Frank Vatrano and CAR defenseman Brady Skjei were teammates on Team USA at the 2012 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championships, earning Gold Medals.
- FLA forward Juho Lammikko and CAR forward Sebastian Aho were teammates on Team Finland at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships, earning Gold Medals.
- FLA Assistant to the General Manager Blake Geoffrion and CAR defenseman Jake Gardiner were teammates at the University of Wisconsin (2008-09).
- FLA Assistant General Manager Paul Krepelka served as Vice President of Hockey Operations for CAR from 2018-19 to 2019-20.
- FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Rick Dudley Served as Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations for CAR from 2018-19 to 2019-20. He began his front office career in the ACHL with the Carolina Thunderbirds, serving as Owner, General Manager and Head Coach for four seasons (1982-83 to 1985-86).
- FLA Head Coach Joel Quenneville played 457 games (1983-84 to 1989-90) for the Hartford Whalers, recording 95 points (25-70-95).
- FLA Assistant Coach Ulf Samuelsson played 463 games (184-85 to 1990-91) for the Hartford Whalers, registering 175 points (31-144-175).
- FLA Director of Amateur Scouting Shane Churla played 22 games (1986-87 to 1987-88) for the Hartford Whalers, producing one assist.
- CAR Assistant Coach Jeff Daniels played 10 games for FLA (1993-94 to 1994-95).
- CAR Development Coach Sergei Samsonov played 20 games (2010-11) for FLA, notching 14 points (3-11-14).
CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY
| Franchise Goals | Franchise Assists | Franchise Points |
| 1. Olli Jokinen (188) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (305) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (460) |
| 2. Aleksander Barkov (163) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (264) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (427) |
| 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: 11 Players (19)
Goals: Hornqvist/Barkov (8)
Assists: Huberdeau (16)
Points: Huberdeau (23)
Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (5)
Power-Play Points: Huberdeau/Yandle (9)
Shorthanded Goals: –
Shorthanded Points: –
Shots: Barkov (70)
PIM: Yandle (24)
+/-: Gudas/Verhaeghe (+7)
Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (52.7)
Blocked Shots: Gudas (21)
Hits: Gudas (98)
TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:12)
PP TOI/GP: Yandle (3:29)
SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:58)
Wins: Driedger (7)
Shutouts: –
ACTIVE STREAKS
Goal Streak None
Assist Streak None
Point Streak None
TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER
- Tonight is Black History Night at BB&T Center. The Panthers will be using exclusive Black History warm-up pucks that will be available for purchase at FlaTeamShop.com. Select video highlights from ‘Breaking Barriers,’ a roundtable discussion with Panthers Assistant GM Brett Peterson, Panthers Alum Peter Worrell & Soul on Ice Director Kwame Mason can be seen on the scoreboard throughout the game. Throughout the game, 50/50 raffle tickets can be purchased at BB&T Center or online at FlaPanthers5050.com with a portion of the proceeds going to Urban League of Broward County.
- 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: Willie Brinson
Tonight’s Hero Among Us is Willie Brinson. Willie enlisted in the US Army in 1964 and served until 1967. He was deployed to Pleiku, Vietnam during the Vietnam War and is a recipient of the Purple Heart.
- BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Brenda Morrison
GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
Jan. 28, 2018: Aleksander Barkov and other players at the 2018 NHL All-Star Game had the honor of meeting a legend on and off the ice: Willie O’Ree. The festivities coincided with the 60th anniversary of O’Ree’s debut with the Boston Bruins, when he became the first Black player in NHL history.
