Florida Panthers

Panthers Pregamer 4.3.21 vs. CBJ

April 3, 2021
smorganroth

APRIL 3, 2021 vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

BB&T Center | 7 P.M. ET
Television: Bally Sports Florida

Radio: 560 WQAM| 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 222/STREAMING 932

PANTHERS vs. BLUE JACKETS

ALL-TIME vs. CBJ: 13-14-10

ALL-TIME HOME vs. CBJ: 7-4-5

2020-21 vs. CBJ: 3-0-1


TEAM STATS

 FLORIDA (24-9-4)COLUMBUS (14-16-8)
GOALS FOR121 (T-5th most)94 (T-23rd most)
GOALS AGAINST99 (14th fewest)118 (T-24th fewest)
POWER PLAY %24.0 (10th)14.8 (26th)
PENALTY KILL %80.5 (11th)75.9 (25th)
SHOTS FOR PER-GAME34.4 (2nd most)28.4 (26th most)
SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME30.4 (17th fewest)31.5 (T-22nd fewest)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %52.2 (7th)46.1 (T-30th)
FACEOFF WIN %49.9 (18th)46.6 (27th)


CATS STATS

  • Tonight, in a pregame ceremony, the Panthers will celebrate Sergei Bobrovsky reaching 500 NHL games. Bobrovsky reached his 500th NHL game on Feb. 10, 2020 at PHI, just prior to the NHL’s pause to the 2019-20 season. The 75th goaltender in NHL history to reach the 500-game mark, upon reaching the milestone Bobrovsky became just the third Russian-born goaltender to play 500 NHL games.
  • Among active goaltenders who have played 500 NHL games, Bobrovsky ranks eighth in wins (292) and tied for third in save percentage (.917). The two-time Vezina Trophy winner owns a 9-3-1 record over his last 13 appearances, tied for third-most wins among NHL goaltenders since Feb. 25. Over that span, Bobrovsky has posted a .917 save percentage.
  • Bobrovsky owns a 7-2-2 record on home ice this season. Over his past four starts at BB&T Center (since March 13), Bobrovsky owns a 3-1-0 record and a .935 save percentage.
  • The Panthers enter tonight on a season-high three game home winning streak. Over those three home wins, Carter Verhaeghe has produced a team-leading five points (3-2-5). Chris Driedger has earned wins in each of his two appearances over that span, owning a .958 save percentage and .99 goals against average, while Sergei Bobrovsky earned a victory on March 30 vs. DET, allowing just one goal on 36 shots faced (.972 SV%).
  • On April 1, the NHL named Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov the Central Division Star of the Month. Barkov ranked third in the NHL (minimum: 5 GP) with 1.45 points per game, compiling 16 points (5-11-16) over 11 contests, helping lead the Panthers to a 10-5-1 record in March. Despite missing six games due to injury in March, Barkov ranked tied for second in points on FLA, scored two game-winning goals, recorded four multi-point performances, registered points in nine of his 11 games played and owned a 55.2 faceoff win percentage.
  • Barkov ranks second on FLA in points (37), even-strength points (24 – tied) and sits tied for third in takeaways (23). He ranks first on FLA in shots on goal (112), total ice time among forwards (657:44) and faceoff win percentage (53.2). He is one even-strength goal away from passing Olli Jokinen (115) for the second-most even-strength goals in franchise history.
  • Jonathan Huberdeau enters tonight’s game on a four-game point streak, recording six points (3-3-6) over that span. He produced a three-point performance (2-1-3) on March 28 at DAL, marking his fourth game with at least three points this season and his third multi-goal game.
  • Huberdeau leads the Panthers with 42 points, 28 assists and 18 power-play points. His 18 power-play points ranks fifth in the NHL. The native of Saint-Jerome, Quebec leads FLA with 12 multi-point performances this season. Florida’s franchise leader in assists (317) and points (479) is expected to play in his 574th NHL game tonight, passing Robert Svehla for the third-most games played in a Panthers uniform in franchise history.
  • Carter Verhaeghe enters tonight’s game with eight points (5-3-8) over his last four games, including two-point performances in each of his last two games (2-2-4). Over the four-game span, Verhaeghe scored a game-winning goal and produced a career-high four points on March 27 at DAL, scoring a hat trick consisting of an even-strength goal, power-play goal and shorthanded goal. He leads the Cats with 29 even-strength points, tied for seventh-most among NHLers. In the month of March, Verhaeghe recorded 10 goals, tying for the third-most in the NHL.
  • Noel Acciari enters tonight’s game with five points (1-4-5) over his last six games. Over his last six games, Acciari has produced a team-leading 56.6 faceoff win percentage and 16:26 shorthanded time on ice, the most among FLA forwards. The 29-year-old native of Johnston, R.I., leads all FLA forwards with 44 blocked shots and 64 hits. Over 16 games in March, Acciari posted 10 points (3-7-10).
  • MacKenzie Weegar‘s 26 takeaways are tied for the most by an NHL defenseman this season. He leads Florida’s D-men in even-strength scoring with 18 points, tied for fifth-most among NHL defensemen. The Ottawa, Ontario native leads FLA’s defense corps with a +14 rating and ranks first on the club in total even-strength TOI (720:01). Weegar ranks second on the club in blocked shots (46) and ranks second in hits (80).
  • Alex Wennberg tallied Florida’s OT game-winner on April 1 vs. DET, scoring his second career OT goal. Wennberg has notched five points (3-2-5) over his past 10 games. He leads FLA this season with 97:13 of total shorthanded ice time.
  • Keith Yandle leads Florida’s defensemen in power-play scoring with 15 points (1-14-15), tied for third-most PP points among NHL D-men. The 34-yearold owns the NHL’s longest active “Ironman” streak (903), which began on March 26, 2009.
  • Patric Hornqvist leads FLA with seven power play goals and ranks fourth on the Panthers in total goals (12). The two-time Stanley Cup Champion ranks second on FLA in shots on goal (111).
  • Radko Gudas leads the NHL in hits (171) and paces the club in blocked shots (47) this season. The native of Prague, Czech Republic, is one assist shy of his 100th NHL assist.
  • On March 31, the Panthers signed 2019 1st round pick Spencer Knight on a three-year, entry-level contract. A Top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, the 19-year-old goaltender completed his sophomore season with Boston College in 2020-21 appearing in 21 games and owning a 16-4-1 record, .932 save percentage, 2.18 goals against average and three shutouts.
  • On April 1, the Panthers agreed to terms on a two-year, entry-level contract with University of North Dakota defenseman Matt Kiersted. The 22-year-old appeared in 29 games in 2020-21, registering 22 points (3-19- 22), leading all UND defensemen. He ranked tied for fifth among all NCAA defensemen in points, tied for second in assists and finished as runner-up for the 2020-21 NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year.


RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– April 2: F Brad Morrison acquired from CHI in exchange for F Vinnie Hinostroza

– April 1: D Matt Kiersted signed to a 2-year ELC
– March 31: G Spencer Knight signed to a 3-year ELC, D Brady Keeper reassigned from Syracuse (AHL) to FLA Taxi Squad, F Anthony Duclair placed on IR

– March 30: D Anton Stralman recalled to active roster from FLA Taxi Squad
– March 29: F Aleksi Heponiemi reassigned to FLA Taxi Squad from Syracuse (AHL)


FLA-CBJ CONNECTIONS

  • FLA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky played seven seasons for CBJ (2012-13 to 2018-19), posting a .921 save percentage, 2.41 goals against average, and 33 shutouts over 374 appearances. He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goaltender in 2012-13 and 2016-17.
  • FLA forward Alex Wennberg played six seasons for CBJ (2014-15 to 2019-20), producing 201 points (40-161-201) over 415 games. Wennberg was originally selected by CBJ in the first round (14th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
  • FLA defenseman Markus Nutivaara played four seasons for CBJ (2016-17 to 2019-20), notching 60 points (17-43-60) over 244 games. He was originally selected by CBJ in the fifth round (189th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
  • FLA defenseman Anton Stralman played two seasons for CBJ (2009-10 to 2010-11), recording 52 points (7-45-52) over 124 games.
  • FLA forward Anthony Duclair played 53 games for CBJ (2018-19), registering 19 points (11-8-19).
  • FLA defenseman Kevin Connauton played two seasons for CBJ (2014-15 to 2015-16), recording 27 points (10-17-27) over 81 games.
  • FLA General Manager Bill Zito served in CBJ’s front office for seven seasons (2013-14 to 2019-20), finishing his tenure as Senior Vice President of Hockey Ops., Associate General Manager and Alternate Governor.
  • FLA Vice President of Player Personnel & Development Gregory Campbell played 82 games for CBJ in 2015-16, recording 11 points (3-8-11). He also served as development coach for CBJ and their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters for three seasons (2017-18 to 2019-20).
  • FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Paul Fenton served one season (2019-20) as a scout for CBJ.
  • FLA Assistant to the General Manager Blake Geoffrion served four seasons with CBJ as a scout (2013-14 to 2015-16, 2019-20) and three seasons as Assistant General Manager for CBJ’s AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters (2016-17 to 2018-19).
  • FLA Assistant to the General Manager Tom Bark served five seasons (2015-16 to 2019-20) in CBJ’s front office as an analyst and Special Assistant to the General Manager.
  • FLA Assistant Coach Derek MacKenzie played seven seasons (2007-08 to 2013-14) for CBJ and the club’s AHL affiliate at the time, the Syracuse Crunch. He amassed 69 points (31-38-69) in 279 games for CBJ.
  • FLA forward Aleksander Barkov and CBJ forward Patrik Laine are both from Tampere, Finland and both played for Tappara in Liiga.
  • CBJ forward Nick Foligno’s father Mike Foligno played his final NHL season with FLA in 1993-94, posting nine points (4-5-9) over 39 games.

CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY

Franchise GoalsFranchise AssistsFranchise Points
1. Olli Jokinen (188)1. Jonathan Huberdeau (317)1. Jonathan Huberdeau (479)
2. Aleksander Barkov (168)2. Aleksander Barkov (276)2. Aleksander Barkov (444)
3. Jonathan Huberdeau (162)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: 6 Players (37)

Goals: Verhaeghe (17)

Assists: Huberdeau (28)

Points: Huberdeau (42)

Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (7)

Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (18)

Shorthanded Goals: Barkov/Verhaeghe (1)

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

Shots: Barkov (112)

PIM: Weegar (39)
+/-: Verhaeghe (+20)

Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (53.2)

Blocked Shots: Gudas (47)

Hits: Gudas (171)

TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:05)

PP TOI/GP: Yandle (4:22)

SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:53)

Wins: Bobrovsky (14)

Shutouts: Driedger (1)

ACTIVE STREAKS

Goal Streak        None

Assist Streak      Forsling (2 Games, 2 Assists)

Point Streak       Huberdeau (4 Games, 3-3-6), Verhaeghe (2 Games, 2-2-4), Forsling (2 Games, 0-2-2)

TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER

  • Tonight, in a pregame ceremony, the Panthers will celebrate Sergei Bobrovsky reaching 500 NHL games. Bobrovsky reached his 500th NHL game on Feb. 10, 2020 at PHI, just prior to the NHL’s pause to the 2019-20 season. The 75th goaltender in NHL history to reach the 500-game mark, upon reaching the milestone Bobrovsky became just the third Russian-born goaltender to play 500 NHL games.
  • In partnership with Twin Peaks, the City of Fort Lauderdale and Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale, the Panthers are hosting a School Supply Drive tonight and Sunday to support families facing homelessness in Fort Lauderdale. Starting at 5 pm tonight, fans can donate school supplies to the JetBlue Tarmac at BB&T Center. Fans who donate on site at BB&T Center will receive a $5 Twin Peaks gift card. Panthers fans who are not in attendance, but still want to support can make a financial donation online at FlaPanthers.givesmart.com. Choose ‘School Supply Drive’ to support.
  • Tonight is a Reverse Retro Saturday at BB&T Center. The Panthers will wear their adidas Reverse Retro jerseys six times this season. The team’s crest is featured front and center, while palm tree graphics on the shoulders and pointed sleeve stripes add considerable design details that nod to the South Florida region. The ’96 on the collar honors the Florida Panthers 1996 team who reached the Stanley Cup Final in only their third season in the National Hockey League. Fans can purchase these jerseys by visiting FLATeamShop.com.
  • 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. Fans can also purchase the Sergei Bobrovsky 50/50 special tonight of 500 tickets 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: Augustus Slaven III


Tonight’s Hero Among Us is US Navy veteran Augustus Slaven III. Augustus enlisted because of the attacks on 9/11 and served nearly 10 years. He was stationed overseas in Guam and patrolled the Pacific Ocean during the Global War on Terrorism.

  • BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Herb Torres
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GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
April 5, 2018: Roberto Luongo appeared in his 1,000th career game in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins at BB&T Center. He became only the third goalie in NHL history to reach the 1,000-game mark.

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