Panthers Pregamer 4.4.21 vs. CBJ

APRIL 4, 2021 vs. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

BB&T Center | 5 P.M. ET
Television: 
Bally Sports Florida | ESPN+

Radio: 560 WQAM| 640 WMEN | 100.3 WCTH | 107.9/1370 WZTA | SIRIUSXM CH. 219/STREAMING 932

PANTHERS vs. BLUE JACKETS

ALL-TIME vs. CBJ: 14-14-10

ALL-TIME HOME vs. CBJ: 8-4-5

2020-21 vs. CBJ: 4-0-1


TEAM STATS

 FLORIDA (25-9-4)COLUMBUS (14-17-8)
GOALS FOR126 (3rd most)96 (T-24th most)
GOALS AGAINST101 (T-12th fewest)123 (26th fewest)
POWER PLAY %23.2 (10th)14.6 (27th)
PENALTY KILL %80.7 (11th)76.9 (T-22nd)
SHOTS FOR PER-GAME34.5 (2nd most)28.9 (26th most)
SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME30.8 (18th fewest)31.7 (25th fewest)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %52.0 (8th)46.3 (T-30th)
FACEOFF WIN %50.0 (T-17th)46.6 (27th)


CATS STATS

  • The Panthers enter today’s game on a season-high five-game winning streak. Over the five-game streak, Carter Verhaeghe leads the Cats in goals (5), assists (4) and points (9). Through the five games, Sergei Bobrovsky owns a 3-0-0 mark with a .948 save percentage and 1.96 goals against average, while Chris Driedger has notched a 2-0-0 record with a .951 save percentage and 1.49 goals against average. Through Florida’s winning streak, 10 different Panthers players have scored at least one goal.
  • After missing six games due to injury, Panthers Captain Aleksander Barkov returned to the lineup on April 3 vs. CBJ, registering a primary assist on the game’s first goal. On April 1, the NHL named Barkov the Central Division Star of the Month. He 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. 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 (38), even-strength points (25) and third in takeaways (23). He ranks second on FLA in shots on goal (114), average TOI among forwards (21:10) and faceoff win percentage (53.3). He is one even-strength goal away from passing Olli Jokinen (115) for the second-most even-strength goals in franchise history.
  • After being honored in a pregame ceremony on April 3 vs. CBJ for his 500th NHL game, Sergei Bobrovsky registered a season-high 44 saves, to earn his third consecutive win. His 44 saves are the second-most he has recorded in a game in a Panthers uniform. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner owns a 10-3-1 record over his last 14 appearances, owning the third-most wins among NHL goaltenders since Feb. 25. Over that span, Bobrovsky has posted a .921 save percentage, the third-highest among goaltenders (min. 10 GP).
  • Jonathan Huberdeau has recorded six points (3-3-6) over his last five games. The Panthers franchise leader in assists (317) and points (479) appeared in his 574th game in a Panthers uniform on April 3 vs. CBJ, passing Robert Svehla for the third-most games played in franchise history.
  • Carter Verhaeghe enters tonight’s game with nine points (5-4-9) over his last five games and owns a three-game point streak (2-3-5) Over the five-game span, Verhaeghe has 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. The 2020 Stanley Cup Champion leads the Cats with 30 even-strength points and is only the seventh NHLer this season and second in the Central Division to post 30 points at even strength. 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 seven games. Over his last seven games, Acciari has produced a team-leading 55.8 faceoff win percentage and 17:47 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 66 hits.
  • 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 leads the Panthers in shots (116), while ranking second among FLA forwards in hits (59). After missing four games with injury, Hornqvist returned to FLA’s lineup on April 3 vs. CBJ, recording an assist.
  • Chris Driedger has earned wins in three of his last four appearances, owning a .947 save percentage and 1.51 goals against average over that span. His save percentage ranks fifth in the NHL among goalies who have played at least four games since March 20.
  • MacKenzie Weegar registered his third multi-point game of the season on April 3 vs. CBJ (1-1-2). 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 20 points, the fourth-most among NHL defensemen. The Ottawa, Ontario native leads FLA’s defense corps with a +18 rating, the fourth-highest among NHL defensemen. Weegar ranks tied for first on FLA in blocked shots (47) and ranks second in hits (81).
  • Matt Kiersted made his NHL debut on April 3 vs. CBJ, leading FLA with four blocked shots. The 22-year-old appeared in 29 games in 2020-21 with the University of North Dakota, registering 22 points (3-19-22), the most among 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.
  • Alex Wennberg has scored the game-winning goal for FLA in each of his last two games. The 26-year-old native of Stockholm, Sweden, registered his first NHL hat trick (3-0-3) on April 3 against his former club (CBJ). In Florida’s previous contest on April 1 vs. DET, Wennberg tallied Florida’s OT game-winner scoring his second career OT goal. Wennberg has notched eight points (6-2-8) over his past 11 games, while owning a 33.3 shooting percentage. He leads FLA this season with 98:27 of total shorthanded ice time.
  • Radko Gudas leads the NHL in hits (178) and is tied for first on FLA in blocked shots (47) this season. The native of Prague, Czech Republic, is one assist shy of his 100th NHL assist.


RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– April 3: F Patric Hornqvist activated from IR, D Matt Kiersted recalled from FLA Taxi Squad, G Spencer Knight assigned to FLA Taxi Squad
– 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


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 (277)2. Aleksander Barkov (445)
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 (38)

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: Hornqvist (116)

PIM: Weegar (39)
+/-: Verhaeghe (+21)

Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (53.3)

Blocked Shots: Gudas/Weegar (47)

Hits: Gudas (178)

TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:05)

PP TOI/GP: Yandle (4:24)

SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:50)

Wins: Bobrovsky (15)

Shutouts: Driedger (1)

ACTIVE STREAKS

Goal Streak        Wennberg (2 Games, 4 Goals), Vatrano (2 Games, 2 Goals)

Assist Streak      Forsling (3 Games, 3 Assists), Verhaeghe (2 Games, 3 Assists), Vatrano (2 Games, 2 Assists)

Point Streak       Verhaeghe (3 Games, 2-3-5), Forsling (3 Games, 0-3-3), Wennberg (2 Games, 4-0-4), Vatrano (2 Games, 2-2-4)

TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER

  • Tonight’s game is Kids Day presented by Broward Health at BB&T Center.
  • 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, 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: Carolina Ortiz


Tonight’s Hero Among Us is retired US Army veteran Carolina Ortiz. Carolina, originally from Colombia, served nearly 4 years in the US Army. As a single mom, Carolina was deployed to Afghanistan for 13 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. She is the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars.

  • BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Jacinta Guevara
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GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
April 6, 2019: Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau each recorded two points (1-1-2) in Florida’s final game of the season vs. NJD. During the 2018-19 season, Barkov set a franchise single-season record with 96 points, and Huberdeau contributed 92 points, making them the first pair of 90-point players in the same season in franchise history.