Panthers Pregamer 4.22.21 vs. CAR

APRIL 22, 2021 vs. CAROLINA HURRICANES


BB&T Center | 7:00 P.M. ET
Television: 
Bally Sports Sun | DirecTV 653-1 | AT&T U-Verse 1723
Radio: 560 WQAM| 850 WFTL | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 223/STREAMING CH. 932

PANTHERS vs. HURRICANES

ALL-TIME vs. CAR: 51-53-11-15

ALL-TIME HOME vs. CAR: 31-14-8-11

2020-21 vs. CAR: 1-3-2


TEAM STATS

 FLORIDA (30-12-5)CAROLINA (30-10-5)
GOALS FOR151 (T-6th most)142 (11th most)
GOALS AGAINST124 (T-12th fewest)106 (4th fewest)
POWER PLAY %21.3 (T-11th)27.4 (2nd)
PENALTY KILL %79.7 (T-13th)83.8 (5th)
SHOTS FOR PER-GAME34.0 (2nd most)32.5 (T-4th most)
SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME30.4 (16th fewest)28.3 (T-7th fewest)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %51.9 (10th)53.9 (3rd)
FACEOFF WIN %50.5 (13th)54.0 (2nd)


CATS STATS

  • Florida (30-12-5) and Carolina (30-10-5) enter tonight’s matchup atop the Central Division with 65 points each.
  • The Panthers look to snap a five-game winless streak against CAR (0-3-2) as they prepare to host the Hurricanes for their final two matchups of the season series. Each of Florida’s two home games against the Hurricanes this season at BB&T Center (0-0-2) were decided in shootout or overtime. The Cats have allowed at least three goals in each match-up vs. CAR this season. Aleksander Barkov has produced a team-leading six points (2-4-6) through the season series, while Jonathan Huberdeau has tallied a team-best three goals.
  • Florida enters tonight’s contest on a season-high seven-game home winning streak. Winning all seven of their games played on home ice since March 20, the Panthers own an 87.5 home penalty kill percentage over that span. Through the home winning streak, Anthony Duclair (1-7-8) and Frank Vatrano (5-3-8) have posted a team-leading eight points. Duclair’s eight points have been recorded over his last four home games played. Since March 20, the Panthers have outscored their opponents at BB&T Center 26-8.
  • Keith Yandle is expected to play in his 914th consecutive NHL game, tying Garry Unger for second-most consecutive games played in NHL history.
  • Aleksander Barkov has produced six goals and nine points (6-3-9) over his last 10 games and two points (1-1-2) over his last three. The 25-year-old native of Tampere, Finland, leads FLA in goals (19) and shots on goal (149), while ranking second on the club in points (46), assists (27) and even-strength points (31).
  • Barkov owns a team-best 32 takeaways (tied), 54.3 faceoff win percentage and 58.7 5v5 shot attempt percentage, while averaging 21:12 TOI per game, the most among all FLA forwards. He is one goal shy of his sixth consecutive season with at least 20 goals. Barkov has produced 24 points (7-17-24) over 26 career games vs. CAR.
  • Over their three games since uniting on April 17 at TBL, the line of Sam Bennett (3-2-5), Anthony Duclair (1-5-6) and Jonathan Huberdeau (2-3- 5) have combined for six goals, 10 assists and 16 points, all recorded at even strength. Over that three-game span, Duclair’s six points ranks tied for second in the NHL and Duclair (+8), Huberdeau (+8) and Bennett (+7) lead the NHL in plus/minus.
  • Jonathan Huberdeau ranks first on FLA in points (49), while ranking first on the club in assists (33) and power-play points (18). He has registered points in each of his last five games (2-5-7). Over his five game-point streak, Huberdeau owns a +10 rating, six takeaways and a 20.0 shooting percentage. The native of Saint-Jerome, Quebec is one point shy of his fourth consecutive and sixth career season with at least 50 points. With his 50th point of the season, he will be the second Central Division player this season to reach the 50-point mark. Huberdeau has registered 25 points (9-16-25) over 29 career games vs. CAR.
  • Anthony Duclair enters tonight’s game with points in each of his last seven games played, amassing 10 points in that span (3-7-10), including points in each of his four games (2-6-8) since he returned to the lineup from injury on April 13 at DAL. Over Duclair’s last seven games, he owns a +12 rating, and has registered all 10 of his points at even-strength. The native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, owns a +19 rating, the second-highest on FLA.
  • Sam Bennett has registered five points (3-2-5) and 14 hits over his first three games with Florida and has scored three goals over his last two games. Bennett is the third Panthers player this season and the 12th in franchise history to record at least one point in each of his first three games with the club, joining Patric Hornqvist and Carter Verhaeghe. In his Panthers debut on April 17 at TBL, the 24-year-old registered two assists, a +3 rating and five hits.
  • Bennett became the third Panthers player this season to have produced at least two points in their FLA debut joining Hornqvist and Eetu Luostarinen (Jan. 17 vs. CHI). Acquired from CGY on April 12, Bennett has recorded points in each of his last seven games played, amassing 10 points over that span (3-7-10).
  • Frank Vatrano enters tonight’s game on a three-game point streak (2-2-4) and has produced seven goals and 10 points over his last 11 games. Through the month of April, Vatrano’s seven goals ranks tied for fifth in the NHL. The 27-year-old native of East Longmeadow, Mass., leads the Cats with six game-winning goals and ranks tied for second on FLA in goals (17), while tied for first in even-strength goals (15).
  • Sergei Bobrovsky has posted five wins over his last seven starts, logging a .924 save percentage over that span. He is five wins shy of his 300th NHL win, joining Evgeni Nabokov (353) and Nikolai Khabibulin (333) as only the third Russian-born goaltender to earn 300 wins in the NHL. Bobrovsky owns a 12-5-1 record over his last 18 appearances, owning a .920 even-strength save percentage
  • Chris Driedger owns a 5-2-1 mark over his past seven starts, earning wins in four of his last six appearances. Over the eight-game span since March 20, Driedger has posted a .939 save percentage, 1.62 goals against average and two shutouts. His save percentage and goals against average over his last eight starts ranks second among all goaltenders (min: 8 GP) since March 20.
  • With 33 saves in his NHL debut on April 20 vs. CBJ, FLA 2019 1st round pick Spencer Knight earned his first career win. The first goaltender born in the 2000s to play an NHL game, the 20-year-old stopped all 31 shots he faced at even strength. Knight became the first Panthers goaltender to have posted a win in his NHL debut and also set a new franchise record for the youngest goaltender to earn a win in franchise history (20 years, 1 day), surpassing Roberto Luongo‘s first win with the franchise on Nov. 25, 2000 (21 years, 235 days).
  • Patric Hornqvist leads FLA with eight power play goals and ranks fourth on the Panthers with 31 points (14-17-31). Hornqvist has produced points in each of his last three games played (2-1-3).
  • Brandon Montour tallied his first goal with FLA on April 17 at TBL. Over four games with the Panthers, Montour has averaged 19:49 TOI and has posted a +7 rating, seven shots, nine hits, five blocked shots and five takeaways. Since joining the Panthers on April 15 at TBL, Montour’s +7 rating leads all NHL defensemen.
  • Nikita Gusev has recorded two assists over his first four games with the Panthers. The 28-year-old former KHL MVP has logged 12 shots on goal over his four-game span with FLA and owns a 55.3 5v5 SAT percentage.
  • Radko Gudas leads all NHL defensemen in hits and ranks second in the league overall (207), averaging 4.50 hits per game and ranks third on FLA in blocked shots (57). He has produced three points (2-1-3) over his last five games.
  • Markus Nutivaara has registered five assists over his last five games. Over that span, Nutivaara owns a +6 rating and 16 shots on goal.
  • Over his last 11 games, Gustav Forsling has recorded five points (1-4-5), 20 shots on goal and a +8 rating, while averaging 21:07 TOI.
  • MacKenzie Weegar ranks tied for third among NHL defensemen this season in even-strength points (23) and takeaways (29). His +17 rating ranks second on FLA, while tied for first on FLA in blocked shots (59) and ranking second in hits (99). Weegar’s career-high 25 points and 22 assists lead all FLA defensemen.


RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– April 17: F Cole Schwindt, F Scott Wilson reassigned from SYR to Taxi Squad, F Aleksi Heponiemi, D Lucas Carlsson, D Brady Keeper reassigned from Taxi Squad to SYR
– April 15: D Brandon Montour, D Noah Juulsen activated to active roster
– April 13: F Sam Bennett, F Nikita Gusev added to active roster, F Anthony Duclair activated from IR, F Lucas Wallmark, G Spencer Knight

recalled from Taxi Squad, D Kevin Connauton loaned to Taxi Squad
– April 12: F Sam Bennett and 2022 6th round pick acquired from CGY in exchange for F Emil Heineman and a 2022 2nd round pick

– April 11: F Nikita Gusev signed to a 1-year contract

– April 10: D Brandon Montour acquired from BUF in exchange for 2021 3rd round pick, D Kevin Connauton recalled from Taxi Squad, D Brady Keeper loaned to Taxi Squad

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).
  • FLA forward Lucas Wallmark was selected by CAR in the fourth round (97th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. He played 160 games (2016-17 to 2019-20) for CAR, recording 54 points (22-32-54).
  • 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 Brock McGinn’s brother Jamie played 95 games (2017-18 to 2018-19) for FLA, producing 36 points (17-19-36).
  • CAR forward Drew Shore was selected by FLA in the second round (44th overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft. He played 67 games (2012-13 to 2013-14) for FLA, posting 20 points (8-12-20).
  • 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 defensemen Anton Stralman (2014-15 to 2017-18) and Radko Gudas (2013-14 to 2014-15) were teammates with CAR forward Cedric Paquette on TBL.
  • 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 GoalsFranchise AssistsFranchise Points
1. Olli Jokinen (188)1. Jonathan Huberdeau (322)1. Jonathan Huberdeau (486)
2. Aleksander Barkov (174)2. Aleksander Barkov (279)2. Aleksander Barkov (453)
3. Jonathan Huberdeau (164)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: 4 Players (47)

Goals: Barkov (19)

Assists: Huberdeau (33)

Points: Huberdeau (49)

Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (8)

Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (18)

Shorthanded Goals: Barkov/Verhaeghe (1)

Shorthanded Points: Barkov/Acciari/Weegar/Verhaeghe (1)

Shots: Barkov (149)

PIM: Weegar (41)
+/-: Verhaeghe (+23)

Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (54.3)

Blocked Shots: Acciari/Weegar (59)

Hits: Gudas (207)

TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:05)

PP TOI/GP: Yandle (4:12)

SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:45)

Wins: Bobrovsky (17)

Shutouts: Driedger (2)

ACTIVE STREAKS

Goal Streak        Bennett (2 Games, 3 Goals)

Assist Streak      Duclair (2 Games, 5 Assists), Huberdeau (2 Games, 3 Assists)

Point Streak       Duclair (5 Games, 2-6-8), Huberdeau (5 Games, 2-5-7), Bennett (3 Games, 3-2-5), Vatrano (3 Games, 3-1-4), Gudas (3 Games, 1-2-3),

TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER

  • Tonight is $5 Beer Thursday 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: Leroy Williams


Tonight’s Hero Among Us is Vietnam War Veteran Leroy Williams. Leroy was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 and served from 1967-69 including one year in Vietnam in the Củ Chi province outside of Saigon. Williams was a part of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Mechanized Division, “Tropic Lightning,” which fought some of the most difficult battles of the Vietnam War. He is the recipient of the Purple Heart and Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars.

  • BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Brittany Salmon
Text

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
April 21, 2012: Jose Theodore stopped all 30 NJD shots en route to a 3-0 shutout win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at BankAtlantic Center. Kris Versteeg scored FLA’s opening goal and added an assist (1-1-2).