MARCH 1, 2021 vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES
BB&T Center | 7 P.M.
Television: Fox Sports Florida | NHL Network
Radio: 790 WAXY | 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 221/STREAMING 932
PANTHERS vs. HURRICANES
ALL-TIME vs. CAR: 51-50-11-14
ALL-TIME HOME vs. CAR: 31-14-8-10
2020-21 vs. CAR: 1-0-1
LAST HOME WIN vs. CAR: April 2, 2018 (3-2 W)
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (13-4-3) | CAROLINA (13-6-1) | |
| GOALS FOR | 64 (11th) | 65 (T-9th) |
| GOALS AGAINST | 55 (T-18th) | 56 (T-16th) |
| POWER PLAY % | 26.3 (10th) | 27.7 (6th) |
| PENALTY KILL % | 77.6 (19th) | 80.0 (T-12th) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | 34.0 (1st) | 31.9 (T-6th) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | 30.7 (13th) | 28.1 (26th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 53.3 (6th) | 53.7 (T-4th) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | 48.6 (T-20th) | 54.3 (2nd) |
CATS STATS
- 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.
- The Panthers own a 4-1-1 record in the second game of a two-game series against the same opponent this season.
- The Panthers stand at second in the Central Division, owning a 13-4-3 record and 29 points over the club’s first 20 games. With a point on Feb. 27 vs. CAR, the Panthers tied their franchise-best over the first 20 games of a season in club history, (29 pts, 1995-96/1996-97).
- Heading into tonight’s contest, the Panthers own a 7-3-2 record on home ice and own a 4-2-1 mark over their last seven home contests. Jonathan Huberdeau leads the Cats with 14 points (5-9-14) registered at BB&T Center. Huberdeau, Patric Hornqvist and Frank Vatrano have each registered a team-best five goals at home.
- Florida has overcome a multi-goal deficit in the third period of each of their last two games. In each of Florida’s last two third periods, the club has scored at least three goals. Frank Vatrano has scored in each of those two third periods. Patric Hornqvist has scored three third period game-tying goals this season and the Cats have come back to tie a game in the third period five times this season.
- Florida posted an 8-4-2 record in February, ranking third in the NHL for the month. Florida’s eight February wins marked the fifth time in franchise history that the club has recorded at least eight wins in the month. The Cats’ 18 points in February tied for the most points accumulated by the club in the month in Panthers history.
- In 14 games played in the month of February, Jonathan Huberdeau produced a team-best seven goals and 17 points (7-10-17). Huberdeau ranked sixth in the NHL for points, tied for fifth in assists and tied for ninth in goals. Aleksander Barkov registered 14 points (6-8-14) over 14 games in February and tied for second in the NHL in shots (49).
- Over Florida’s last seven games (Feb. 17-Feb. 28), the club has accumulated a league-leading 276 shots on goal. In that span, Aleksander Barkov has logged a team-leading 28 shots. Through the seven games, the Panthers have averaged 39.4 shots per game.
- Tonight, Aleksander Barkov is expected to play in his 500th NHL game, becoming the 11th player in franchise history to play 500 games in a Panthers uniform. He is also set to become the sixth player to play his first 500 games for Florida and the fourth to have been drafted by the Panthers.
- Jonathan Huberdeau has amassed eight points (4-4-8) over his last eight games. Huberdeau leads the Cats in points (24), assists (16) and power-play points (10), while tied for the team lead in even-strength points (14). The 27- year-old is two goals shy of passing Scott Mellanby for the third-most in franchise history.
- Aaron Ekblad leads the Panthers with 504:13 total TOI. The two-time NHL All-Star ranks tied for 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. The 25-year-old blueliner has scored six goals this season, leading all Panthers defensemen.
- On Feb. 25 vs. DAL, 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. He is four games away from his 1,000th NHL game.
- Patric Hornqvist enters tonight’s game with a team-leading nine goals and has posted 18 points (9-9-18) in 20 GP with FLA. The 34-year-old has produced three points (2-1-3) over his last two games.
- MacKenzie Weegar has produced six points (1-5-6) over his last eight games. Weegar’s 10 even-strength points (1-9-10), leads all Panthers defensemen. The 27-year-old ranks second on FLA with 49 hits, 20 blocked shots, and 454:52 TOI.
- 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.
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 (461) |
| 2. Aleksander Barkov (163) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (265) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (428) |
| 3. Scott Mellanby (157) | 3. Stephen Weiss (249) | 3. Olli Jokinen (419) |
| 4. Jonathan Huberdeau (156) | 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 (20)
Goals: Hornqvist (9)
Assists: Huberdeau (16)
Points: Huberdeau (24)
Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (5)
Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (10)
Shorthanded Goals: –
Shorthanded Points: –
Shots: Barkov (73)
PIM: Yandle (24)
+/-: Gudas (+8)
Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (52.1)
Blocked Shots: Gudas (21)
Hits: Gudas (100)
TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:13)
PP TOI/GP: Yandle (3:33)
SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:58)
Wins: Driedger (7)
Shutouts: –
ACTIVE STREAKS
Goal Streak Vatrano (2 Games, 2 Goals)
Assist Streak Weegar (2 Games, 2 Assists), Hornqvist (2 Games, 2 Assists), Marchment (2 Games, 2 Assists)
Point Streak Hornqvist (2 Games, 1-2-3), Vatrano (2 Games, 2-0-2), Barkov (2 Games, 1-1-2), Stralman (2 Games, 1-1-2), Marchment (2 Games, 0-2-2), Weegar (2 Games, 0-2-2)
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: Robert Renny
Tonight’s Hero Among Us is US Army veteran, Robert Renny. Robert served a total of 23 years in the military and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. His deployment locations include Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
- BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Benny Martinez
GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
March 2, 2008: Craig Anderson set an NHL record for most saves recorded during a shutout (53) and tied the second-most saves in a game by a Panthers goaltender in franchise history as the Cats defeated the New York Islanders, 1-0.
