MARCH 15, 2021 vs. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
BB&T Center | 7 P.M. ET
Television: Fox Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM| 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 223/STREAMING CH. 932
PANTHERS vs. BLACKHAWKS
ALL-TIME vs. CHI: 16-18-3-7
ALL-TIME HOME vs. CHI: 9-9-1-4
STREAKS: FLA has won each of its last three games against CHI and have earned points in each of their last eight games against CHI (5-0-3)
2020-21 vs. CHI: 3-0-0
TEAM STATS
| FLORIDA (18-5-4) | CHICAGO (14-10-5) | |
| GOALS FOR | 92 (T-4th) | 87 (T-8th) |
| GOALS AGAINST | 76 (21st) | 90 (T-7th) |
| POWER PLAY % | 25.6 (8th) | 29.6 (3rd) |
| PENALTY KILL % | 78.8 (16th) | 74.4 (24th) |
| SHOTS FOR PER-GAME | 34.0 (2nd) | 29.8 (18th) |
| SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME | 31.1 (T-10th) | 34.4 (1st) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 52.2 (8th) | 46.6 (30th) |
| FACEOFF WIN % | 49.8 (T-18th) | 46.4 (T-27th) |
CATS STATS
- The Panthers began their four-game homestand with a 4-2 win on March 13 vs. CHI. The Cats own an 8-3-3 home record this season and own a 2-0-2 mark over their last four home games. Florida’s last six home victories have all been won in regulation.
- Aleksander Barkov has recorded a team-best 15 points on home ice (6-9-15), while Frank Vatrano has scored a team-leading seven goals at BB&T Center. Sergei Bobrovsky has posted a 5-1-2 record at home and owns a .922 even-strength save percentage.
- The Panthers own a 5-1-0 record over their last six games and have won each of their last three games. Through the Panthers six-game span from March 4-March 13, the Panthers have registered a league-leading (tied) 26 goals, while owning a 27.3 PP% and 84.2 PK%. Over those six games five different Panthers have scored at least three goals: Noel Acciari, Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Frank Vatrano and Carter Verhaeghe.
- On March 13 vs. CHI, Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov registered his first multi-goal game of the season (2G) and third three-point night. Barkov enters tonight’s game with 12 points (4-8-12) over his last nine games, registering four points (3-1-4) over his last two contests.
- Owning the second-most points in franchise history, Barkov ranks second on the Panthers this season in points (31) and assists (20), while tied for the team lead in goals (11). He leads the Cats in shots (95), takeaways (22-T), total ice time for forwards (571:14) and faceoff win percentage (53.3).
- Tonight, Barkov is expected to play his 507th NHL game, passing Bill Lindsay for the 10th-most games played in a Panthers uniform.
- Jonathan Huberdeau enters tonight’s game with eight points (2-6-8) over his last six games. The eighth NHLer to reach 30 points this season, Huberdeau leads the Cats in points (32), assists (22) and power-play points (14), while ranking second on the club in goals (10).
- Aaron Ekblad has recorded three goals and eight points over his last six games (3-5-8). Florida’s franchise leader in goals (80) and power-play goals (28) scored by a defenseman, Ekblad stands at second in the NHL this season for goals by defensemen (9) and first in power-play goals by D-men (5). He is one goal shy of reaching 10 goals in a season for the sixth time in his seven-season career.
- Sergei Bobrovsky enters tonight’s game on a season-high five-game win streak, his longest as a Panther. Bobrovsky has earned points in each of his last seven starts (6-0-1) owning a .921 save percentage and .925 even strength save percentage.
- Frank Vatrano has scored game-winning goals in each of his last two games. He has produced three goals and four points over his last five games and six goals over his last nine games. Vatrano leads the Panthers with four game-winning goals and is tied for the team lead in even-strength goals (10).
- After missing six games due to injury, Anthony Duclair returned to the lineup on March 13 vs. CHI and recorded two assists. Of Duclair’s 12 points this season, he has registered 11 points at even strength.
- Gustav Forsling has produced two assists over his last three games. The 24-year-old has posted 13 shots on goal over his last five games.
- The Panthers honored Keith Yandle with a pregame ceremony on March 13 vs. CHI, for him reaching his 1,000th NHL game. As of March 13, Yandle’s 12 power-play points ranks tied for fourth among NHL defensemen.
- Patric Hornqvist enters tonight’s game tied for the Panthers lead in goals (11). The 34-year-old forward has notched 22 points (11-11-22) over 27 games in his first season with FLA. Three games shy of his 800th NHL game, the two-time Stanley Cup Champion has recorded four goals and seven points over his last nine games.
- Owen Tippett owns a career-high three-game point streak (2-1-3) heading into tonight’s game. Over his last three games, the 22-year-old has logged nine shots and a 22.2 shooting percentage, while registering an even-strength goal, power-play goal and game-winning goal.
- Carter Verhaeghe enters tonight’s game on a three-game point streak (2-1-3). Verhaeghe owns a team-leading (tied) 10 even-strength goals and +13 rating. Verhaeghe’s 20 points this season have all been recorded at even strength and is tied with Aleksander Barkov for first on the club.
- MacKenzie Weegar enters tonight’s game on a career-high four-game point streak (1-5-6). All 16 (2-14-16) of Weegar’s points this season have been recorded at even strength.
- Defenseman Radko Gudas leads FLA with 126 hits. Over his last 20 games, from Feb. 4 to March 13, Gudas logged an NHL-leading 104 hits. Gudas has recorded assists in each of his last two games and is one assist shy of his 100th NHL assist.
- The Panthers are two goals shy of their 5,500th goal as an NHL franchise (currently 5,498).
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– March 13: F Anthony Duclair activated from IR, D Riley Stillman loaned to Taxi Squad
– March 9: D Markus Nutivaara activated from IR, F Owen Tippett recalled from Taxi Squad
– March 8: D Riley Stillman recalled from Taxi Squad, F Grigori Denisenko, D Kevin Connauton loaned to Taxi Squad
FLA-CHI CONNECTIONS
- FLA forward Anthony Duclair played 23 games for CHI (2017-18), recording eight points (2-6-8).
- FLA defenseman Gustav Forsling played all 122 games of his NHL career for CHI (2016-17 to 2018-19), notching 27 points (8-19-27).
- FLA forward Vinnie Hinostroza is a native of Chicago, Ill., and was selected by CHI in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft. He played 106 games for CHI (2015-16 to 2017-18), posting 39 points (13-26-39).
- FLA Head Coach Joel Quenneville served as Head Coach of CHI for 11 seasons (2008-09 to 2018-19), winning the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013 and 2015) and owning a 452-249-96 regular season coaching record.
- FLA Assistant Coach Andrew Brunette played 78 games for CHI (2011-12), recording 27 points (12-15-27).
- FLA Assistant Coach Ulf Samuelsson served as an Assistant Coach for CHI for two seasons (2017-18 to 2018-19).
- FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Rick Dudley served five seasons (2004-05 to 2008-09) for CHI as Director of Player Personnel and Assistant General Manager .
- FLA Director of Player Personnel Bryan McCabe played 79 games for CHI (1999-00), posting 25 points (6-19-25).
- FLA Chief Commercial Officer Shawn Thornton played 31 games for CHI (2002-03 to 2005-06), recording three points (2-1-3) and 70 PIM.
- FLA Goaltending Coach Robb Tallas appeared in 12 games for CHI (2000-01), posting a 2-7-0 record.
- FLA Director of Hockey Operations & Salary Cap Management Braden Birch was originally selected by CHI in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.
- CHI defenseman Connor Murphy’s father Gord Murphy played six seasons for FLA (1993-94 to 1998-99), posting 142 points (42-100-142) over 410 games and served as an assistant coach for four seasons (2010-11 to 2013-14).
- CHI forward Brandon Pirri appeared in 122 games for FLA over three seasons (2013-14 to 2015-16), amassing 62 points (40-22-62).
- CHI forward Lucas Wallmark played seven games for FLA (2019-20), posting two points (1-1-2).
CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY
| Franchise Goals | Franchise Assists | Franchise Points |
| 1. Olli Jokinen (188) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (311) | 1. Jonathan Huberdeau (469) |
| 2. Aleksander Barkov (166) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (272) | 2. Aleksander Barkov (438) |
| 3. Jonathan Huberdeau (158) | 3. Stephen Weiss (249) | 3. Olli Jokinen (419) |
| 4. Scott Mellanby (157) | 4. Olli Jokinen (231) | 4. Stephen Weiss (394) |
| 5. Pavel Bure (152) | 5. Robert Svehla (229) | 5. Scott Mellanby (354) |
PANTHERS LEADERS
Games Played: 10 Players (27)
Goals: Hornqvist/Barkov (11)
Assists: Huberdeau (22)
Points: Huberdeau (32)
Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (6)
Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (14)
Shorthanded Goals: –
Shorthanded Points: –
Shots: Barkov (95)
PIM: Yandle (26)
+/-: Verhaeghe (+13)
Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (53.3)
Blocked Shots: Weegar (34)
Hits: Gudas (126)
TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:09)
PP TOI/GP: Yandle (3:57)
SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:51)
Wins: Bobrovsky (11)
Shutouts: –
ACTIVE STREAKS
Goal Streak Barkov (2 Games, 3 Goals), Vatrano (2 Games, 2 Goals)
Assist Streak Weegar (3 Games, 5 Assists), Verhaeghe (2 Games, 2 Assists), Gudas (2 Games, 2 Assists)
Point Streak Weegar (4 Games, 1-5-6), Verhaeghe (3 Games, 2-2-4), Tippet (3 Games, 2-1-3), Barkov (2 Games, 3-1-4), Vatrano (2 Games, 2-0-2), Gudas (2 Games, 0-2-2)
TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER
- Tonight the Panthers players will wear exclusive St. Patrick’s Day jerseys during warm-ups. The warm-up worn St. Patrick’s Day jerseys will be available for purchase at FlaTeamShop.com. Fans can purchase mystery-signed St. Patrick’s Day pucks and also bid on a chance to win a signed Keith Yandle autographed poster through the Florida Panthers Foundation. All proceeds benefit the Florida Panthers Foundation.
- Tonight is $5 Beer Night at BB&T Center. Fans can purchase domestic beers for $5 at select concession stands and bars and are available through mobile ordering.
- 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: Darwyn Allen
Tonight’s Hero Among Us is US Air Force veteran Darwyn Allen. Darwyn served a total of 10 years during conflicts such as Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and the Persian Gulf War. He is the recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four devices, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two devices, and the National Defense Service Medal.
- BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Jeremy Hall
GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
March 17, 2007: Olli Jokinen set a new franchise record for points in single game with six (2-4-6) against the New York Islanders in a 8-5 victory at home.
