Panthers Pregamer 4.29.21 at CHI

APRIL 29, 2021 at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

ALL-TIME vs. CHI: 17-20-3-7

ALL-TIME ROAD vs. CHI: 7-11-2-3

2020-21 vs. CHI: 4-2-0

TEAM STATS

	FLORIDA (32-14-5)	CHICAGO (22-22-5)
GOALS FOR	165 (5^th most)	137 (T-14^th most)
GOALS AGAINST	139 (T-17^thfewest)	156 (T-22^nd fewest)
POWER PLAY %	21.2 (T-13^th)	22.4 (9^th)
PENALTY KILL %	79.3 (18^th)	76.5 (27^th)
SHOTS FOR PER-GAME	34.6 (T-1^st)	29.6 (T-19^th most)
SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME	30.0 (16^thfewest)	33.0 (29^th fewest)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %	53.0 (6^th)	47.3 (26^th)
FACEOFF WIN %	50.3 (14^th)	46.8 (28^th)

CATS STATS

The Panthers clinched a berth in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs after their 7-4 win at NSH on April 27, securing their second consecutive year with a postseason appearance and their seventh trip to the postseason in franchise history. The Panthers clinched their first playoff berth during regular season play since the 2015-16 season.
The Panthers close out their final regular season road trip with two contests against CHI. The Panthers lead the season series with CHI 4-2-0, while owning an 0-2-0 mark at United Center this season. Aleksander Barkov has produced a team-leading nine points (3-6-9) through the six contests this season. Barkov owns a 68.2 faceoff win percentage vs. CHI this season.
The Panthers are the first team in the Central Division to have two 50-point scorers on their roster: Jonathan Huberdeau (18-39-57) and Aleksander Barkov (24-28-52).
Over their last nine games, the Panthers have scored 12 goals in the first period, the second-most in the NHL since April 13. Through that span, Aleksander Barkov has scored a team-leading four times in the first period.
Aleksander Barkov has produced 11 goals and 15 points (11-4-15) over his last 14 games and eight points (6-2-8) over his last seven games. Barkov has scored six goals over his last five games, recording two multi-goal performances over his last four games.
In the month of April, Barkov’s 11 goals ranks second in the NHL. With his fifth three-point performance of the season on April 27 at NSH, Barkov reached the 50-point mark for the sixth consecutive season, making him the only Panther in franchise history to reach 50 points in six consecutive seasons. His power-play goal on April 27 at NSH marked his 49th career power play goal, passing Stephen Weiss (48) for the third-most power-play tallies in franchise history. With his two-goal game on April 22 vs. CAR, Barkov became the first Panthers player to reach the 20-goal mark this season. Barkov has registered at least 20 goals in six consecutive seasons, a franchise record.
Barkov leads FLA in goals (24), even-strength goals (17) and shots on goal (165), while ranking second on the club in points (52), assists (28), even-strength points (34) and takeaways (35). Barkov owns a team-best 54.5 faceoff win percentage while averaging 21:19 TOI per game, the most among all FLA forwards.
Jonathan Huberdeau matched his career-high for points in a game with a five-point performance (2-3-5) on April 27 at NSH. Huberdeau is the only player in franchise history to have registered two five-point games with the Panthers. The native of Saint-Jerome, Quebec, was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week for the week ending April 25. Huberdeau amassed seven points (1-6-7) and a +6 rating over four games through the week.
Huberdeau ranks first on FLA in points (57), assists (39), power-play points (22) and even-strength points (35). He has registered a league-leading 15 points over his last nine games (4-11-15), while owning a league-high +14 rating in that span. The second Central Division player this season to reach the 50-point mark, Huberdeau is three points shy of his fourth career season with at least 60 points. Florida’s franchise leader in assists (328) and points (494) is six points away from becoming the first Panthers player in franchise history to record 500 points for the club.
Anthony Duclair enters tonight’s game with 13 points (4-9-13) over his last 11 games played. Duclair has notched 11 points (3-8-11) through his last nine games since he returned to the lineup from injury on April 13 at DAL. Over Duclair’s last 11 games, he owns a +14 rating, and has registered 11 of his 13 points at even-strength. He tallied his first power-play goal with FLA on April 27 at NSH. The native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec, owns a career-best +21 rating this season, the third-highest on FLA. With his 20th assist of the season on April 26 at NSH, Duclair reached the 20-assist mark in a season for the second time in his NHL career.
Sam Bennett has registered 10 points (4-6-10) and 20 hits over his first seven games with Florida and has scored four goals over his last six games. With a three-assist performance on April 27 at NSH, Bennett matched his career-high for assists in a game. He registered two of his three assists on the power play. Acquired from CGY on April 12, Bennett has recorded points in 10 of his last 11 games played, amassing 15 points over that span (4-11-15). With his fourth goal in just his sixth game with FLA on April 26 at NSH, Bennett matched his goal total with CGY this season and equaled his goal total from 2019-20 (8).
With a career-high four-point game (1-3-4) on April 24 vs. CAR, MacKenzie Weegar tied the Panthers franchise record for points by a defenseman in a game. Weegar became the seventh defenseman in franchise history to record four points in a game. Of the seven defensemen to have recorded four points in a game, Weegar is the only one who posted a shorthanded point.
Weegar ranks tied for first among NHL defensemen in even-strength points (27) and stands at first in takeaways (36). His +22 rating ranks second on FLA and eighth among NHL defensemen. He leads FLA in blocked shots (72) and ranks second on the club in hits (110). Weegar’s career-high 30 points and 26 assists lead all FLA defensemen.
The Panthers have totaled 95 shots over their last two games, tying their franchise record for shots in a game (55). Over the two-game span, Owen Tippett has logged a team-leading 13 shots on goal including a team-high eight shots on April 27 at NSH. Tippett recorded two points in that game (1-1- 2), marking his first career multi-point game.
Frank Vatrano scored his team-best and career-high seventh game-winning goal of the season on April 27 at NSH. His goal was also his 10th third period tally of the season, tied for the fourth-most in the NHL. Vatrano ranks tied for third in the League in game-winning goals (7). His seven game-winners are the most in a season on FLA since Aleksander Barkov‘s eight GWGs in 2015-16. The 27-year-old enters tonight’s game with five points (3- 2-5) over his last seven games. Vatrano stands at second on FLA in goals (18-T) and even-strength goals (16). He is two goals shy of his second career season with at least 20 goals.
Sergei Bobrovsky 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’s 17 wins on the season ranks tied for seventh in the NHL.
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 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 for the Panthers (20 years, 1 day), surpassing Roberto Luongo‘s first win with the franchise on Nov. 25, 2000 (21 years, 235 days).
Jonathan Huberdeau (11) and Aleksander Barkov (10) have each scored 10 goals on the road this season. Huberdeau’s 31 road points are tied for fourth in the NHL.
Radko Gudas leads the NHL in hits (218), averaging 4.45 hits per game.
Florida owns a 6-2-1 record over their last nine games

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– April 28: D Brady Keeper, G Sam Montembeault reassigned from SYR (AHL) to Taxi Squad

– April 27: F Grigori Denisenko, F Aleksi Heponiemi recalled from Taxi Squad to active roster
– April 26: F Grigori Denisenko, F Aleksi Heponiemi reassigned from SYR to Taxi Squad
– 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

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 122 games for CHI (2016-17 to 2018-19), notching 27 points (8-19-27).
FLA forward Lucas Wallmark played 16 games for CHI (2020-21), recording three assists.
CHI forward Riley Stillman was selected by FLA in the fourth round (114^th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. He played 43 games (2018-19 to 2020-21) for FLA, recording five assists. Riley’s father Cory Stillman played 165 games for FLA (2008-09 to 2010-11), producing 109 points (39-70-109).
CHI forward Brett Connolly played 90 games for FLA (2019-20 to 2020-21), registering 37 points (21-16-37).
CHI forward Vinnie Hinostroza played nine games for FLA (2020-21).
FLA defenseman Keith Yandle and CHI defenseman Connor Murphy were teammates on ARI (2014-15).
FLA forward Mason Marchment and CHI forwards Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat were teammates on the Eerie Otters (2014-15).
FLA goaltender Spencer Knight and CHI forward Mike Hardman were teammates at Boston College (2019-20 to 2020-21).
FLA forward Aleksander Barkov and CHI goaltender Kevin Lankinen were teammates on Finland’s National U16 Team (2010-11).
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 Head Coach Joel Quenneville and CHI Assistant Coach Marc Crawford won the 1996 Stanley Cup together on the coaching staff of COL. Quenneville served as an assistant coach under Crawford.
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 Development Coach Brian Campbell played 376 games for FLA (2011-12 to 2015-16), amassing 175 points (28-147-175). He also played in 13 Stanley Cup playoff games for FLA (2011-12 and 2015-16), registering six points (1-5-6).
FLA forward Mason Marchment’s father Bryan Marchment played 149 games for CHI (1991-92 to 1993-94), producing 40 points (11-29-40).
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).

CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY

Franchise Goals	Franchise Assists	Franchise Points
1. Olli Jokinen (188)	1. Jonathan Huberdeau (328)	1. Jonathan Huberdeau (494)
2. Aleksander Barkov (179)	2. Aleksander Barkov (280)	2. Aleksander Barkov (459)
3. Jonathan Huberdeau (166)	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)