FEB. 5, 2021 vs. NASHVILLE PREDATORS
BB&T Center | 7 P.M.
Television: Fox Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM | 850 WFTL | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM 220/STREAMING 932
PANTHERS vs. PREDATORS
ALL-TIME vs. NSH: 15-9-3-6
ALL-TIME HOME vs. NSH: 9-3-1-4
STREAKS: FLA has earned points in each of its last three games against NSH (2-0-1)
2020-21 vs. NSH: 0-0-1
LAST WIN vs. NSH: Nov. 30, 2019 (3-0 W)
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (5-0-2) | NASHVILLE (5-5-0) | |
| GOALS FOR | 26 (T-22nd) | 27 (T-19th) |
| GOALS AGAINST | 21 (27th) | 34 (T-10th) |
| POWER PLAY % | 39.1 (3rd) | 14.6 (T-22nd) |
| PENALTY KILL % | 76.0 (22nd) | 63.4 (31st) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | 32.0 (8th) | 33.1 (3rd) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | 31.6 (T-10th) | 29.5 (T-18th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 52.9 (7th) | 51.9 (T-9th) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | 48.7 (22nd) | 53.8 (4th) |
CATS STATS
- The Panthers enter tonight’s game with a 5-0-2 record over their first seven games of the season. The Cats’ seven-game point streak marks their second-longest point streak to start a season in franchise history and longest since the institution of a shootout tiebreaker and elimination of ties in 2005-06.
- In the span of their last five games, the Panthers own an 85.0 penalty kill percentage (17/20).
- On Feb. 4 vs. NSH, Jonathan Huberdeau became just the sixth Panther in franchise history to record a five-point game (3-2-5). Aside from posting a single-game career-high in points, the 2020 NHL All-Star also notched his first career hat trick in the game. Huberdeau now boasts a team-leading 12 points (4-8-12) over seven games.
- Huberdeau’s three-goal game also tied him with Pavel Bure (152) for fourth in franchise goal scoring. Only three assists shy of his 300th assist, Huberdeau could also become the first player in franchise history to reach 300 assists.
- Aleksander Barkov has recorded nine points (3-6-9) over his first seven games of the season, including five points (2-3-5) over his last three games. His power play tally on Feb. 4 vs. NSH passed Scott Mellanby (157) for second on the Panthers franchise goals list. The 25-year-old’s power-play goal also passed Pavel Bure (44) for fourth in franchise history for goals scored on the man advantage. Florida’s captain is four points away from passing Olli Jokinen (419) for second on the franchise points list.
- Aaron Ekblad tallied his second power-play goal of the season on Feb. 4 vs. NSH, placing him two power-play goals shy of surpassing Robert Svehla (26) for the most power-play goals scored by a Panthers defenseman in franchise history.
- Markus Nutivaara has registered three assists over his first four games with the Panthers, while averaging 15:12 TOI per game.
- Keith Yandle has recorded points in each of his last three games, notching four points (1-3-4) in that span. All four points have been registered on the power play.
- Anthony Duclair has recorded six points (4-2-6) over 10 career games vs. NSH.
- Patric Hornqvist has produced six points (3-3-6) over 11 career games against his former team.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– Feb. 3: F Owen Tippett assigned to FLA Taxi Squad
– Jan. 30: F Aleksi Heponiemi, F Owen Tippett added to active roster, F Ryan Lomberg assigned to FLA Taxi Squad, D Gustav Forsling placed on IR
– Jan. 28: D Markus Nutivaara added to active roster, F Owen Tippett assigned to FLA Taxi Squad
FLA-NSH CONNECTIONS
- FLA forward Patric Hornqvist was selected by the Predators in the seventh round (230th overall) of the 2005 NHL Draft. He played 363 games for Nashville (2008-09 to 2013-14), recording 216 points (106-110-216). Hörnqvist also played in 24 playoff games with the Predators (2009-10 to 2011-12), notching eight points (3-5-8).
- NSH forward Erik Haula played seven regular season games and four playoff games for FLA (2019-20), producing two assists in the regular season and one goal in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers.
- NSH forward Rocco Grimaldi was selected by the Panthers in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2011 NHL Draft. He played 27 games for Florida (2014-15 to 2015-16), recording six points (4-2-6). He also played two playoff games for the Panthers in 2015-16.
- FLA Special Advisor to the General Manager Roberto Luongo and NSH forward Matt Duchene played together for Team Canada at the 2014 Olympics Games in Sochi, Russia, earning Gold Medals.
- FLA forward Aleksander Barkov and NSH forward Mikael Granlund were teammates on Team Finland at the 2014 Olympics, earning Bronze medals. Barkov, Haula, and Granlund and NSH goaltender Pekka Rinne were also teammates at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
- FLA defenseman Anton Stralman, FLA forward Patric Hörnqvist, NSH defenseman Mattias Ekholm, and NSH forward Filip Forsberg were teammates on Team Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
- FLA defenseman Aaron Ekblad and NSH forward Matt Duchene were teammates on Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championships, earning Gold Medals.
- FLA forward Brett Connolly, NSH forward Ryan Johansen, and NSH defenseman Ryan Ellis were teammates on Team Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships, earning Silver Medals.
- FLA defenseman MacKenzie Weegar and NSH defenseman Mark Borowiecki share the hometown of Ottawa, Ontario.
- FLA defenseman Markus Nutivaara and NSH forward Mikael Granlund share the hometown of Oulu, Finland.
- NSH defenseman Matt Benning is the older brother of FLA prospect Michael Benning.
- FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Paul Fenton spent 20 years with the Predators organization, serving as Director of Player Personnel (1998-99 to 2005-06), Assistant General Manager (2006-07 to 2017-18), and General Manager of the Milwaukee Admirals (2013-14 to 2017-18).
- FLA Assistant to the General Manager Blake Geoffrion was raised in Nashville and was selected by the Predators in the second round (56th overall) of the 2006 NHL Draft. He played 42 games for the Predators (2010-11 to 2011-12), producing 11 points (6-5-11).
- FLA Director of European Amateur Scouting Jari Kekalainen’solder brother Janne has served as a scout for Nashville since 1999-00.
- FLA Assistant Coach Andrew Brunette played 77 games for Nashville (1998-99), registering 31 points (11-20-31).
CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY
| Franchise Goals | Franchise Assists | Franchise Points |
| 1. Olli Jokinen (188) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (297) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (449) |
| 2. Alekander Barkov (158) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (258) | 2. Olli Jokinen (419) |
| 3. Scott Mellanby (157) | 3. Stephen Weiss (249) | 3. Aleksander Barkov (416) |
| T-4. Jonathan Huberdeau (152) | 4. Olli Jokinen (231) | 4. Stephen Weiss (394) |
| T-4. Pavel Bure (152) | 5. Robert Svehla (229) | 5. Scott Mellanby (354) |
PANTHERS LEADERS
Games Played: 14 Players (7)
Goals: Hornqvist/Verhaeghe (5)
Assists: Huberdeau (8)
Points: Huberdeau (12)
Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (3)
Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (7)
Shorthanded Goals: –
Shorthanded Points: –
Shots: Barkov/Hornqvist (27)
PIM: Yandle (12)
+/-: Duclair/Verhaeghe/Gudas (+4)
Faceoff Win %: Barkov (57.8)
Blocked Shots: Acciari (11)
Hits: Gudas (32)
TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:57)
PP TOI/GP: Yandle (3:33)
SH TOI/GP: Acciari (3:52)
Wins: Bobrovsky (3)
Shutouts: –
ACTIVE STREAKS
Goal Streak Ekblad (2 Games, 2 Goals)
Assist Streak Huberdeau (2 Games, 5 Assists), Barkov (3 Games, 3 Assists), Yandle (2 Games, 3 Assists), Nutivaara (2 Games, 2 Assists)
Point Streak Huberdeau (3 Games, 3-5-8), Barkov (3 Games, 2-3-5), Yandle (3 Games, 1-3-4), Ekblad (3 Games, 2-1-3), Hornqvist (3 Games, 1-2-3), Nutivaara (2 Games, 0-2-2)
APPROACHING MILESTONES
Juho Lammikko…1st NHL Goal
Brett Connolly…2 Goals Away…100th NHL Goal
Jonathan Huberdeau…3 Assists Away…400th NHL Assist
Radko Gudas…5 Assists Away…100th NHL Assist
RECENT MILESTONES
Aleksi Heponiemi…1st NHL Game/1st NHL Goal…Jan. 30 at DET
Brett Connolly…500th NHL game…Jan. 28 at CBJ
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 is Cooper & Hunter Takeover Night at BB&T Center.
- 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: Manny Vila
Tonight’s Hero Among Us is Command Sergeant Major, Luis Manny Vila. Luis served a total of 37 years in the US Army in which he aided in the support of Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is the recipient of Legion of Merit and Combat Infantry Badge.
- BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Trinity Ward
GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
Feb. 14, 2001: Pavel Bure scored his second consecutive hat track during a 4-3 defeat of the Phoenix Coyotes at home. He had scored four goals in the previous game, a 7-3 defeat of the Atlanta Thrashers on the road on Feb. 10. He was the first player in franchise history to pull off this feat.
