Panthers Pregamer 5.10.21 vs. TBL

MAY 10, 2021 vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

ALL-TIME vs. TBL: 70-48-10-17

ALL-TIME HOME vs. TBL: 41-16-4-10

2020-21 vs. TBL: 4-2-1

TEAM STATS

	FLORIDA (36-14-5)	TAMPA BAY (36-16-3)
GOALS FOR	184 (T-3^rd most)	180 (7^th most)
GOALS AGAINST	151 (13^thfewest)	141 (7^th fewest)
POWER PLAY %	21.1 (12^th)	23.0 (8^th)
PENALTY KILL %	79.1 (18^th)	83.7 (6^th)
SHOTS FOR PER-GAME	35.0 (1^st)	30.2 (T-8^th most)
SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME	30.0 (T-14^thfewest)	28.2 (T-6^th fewest)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %	53.6 (5^th)	52.4 (9^th)
FACEOFF WIN %	50.4 (13^th)	49.9 (18^th)

CATS STATS

With a win tonight or by earning one point, the Panthers can secure second in the Central Division and home ice advantage for Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against TBL.
All four of Florida’s wins vs. TBL this season have been recorded during regulation, marking the first time the club has registered four regulation regular season wins vs. TBL since 2007-08. Through FLA’s seven games against TBL this season, Aleksander Barkov (1-6-7), Jonathan Huberdeau (3-4-7) and Alex Wennberg (4-3-7) have each recorded seven points.
Florida owns a 10-2-1 record over their last 13 games. Over that span, the Panthers have scored 52 goals, the third-most in the NHL. Of those 52 goals, 17 were tallied in the first period, tying for the second-most first period goals since April 13. Through the 13-game clip, Jonathan Huberdeau has produced a team-leading 19 points (6-13-19) and Aleksander Barkov has scored a team-high nine goals, while Sergei Bobrovksy (4-1-0) and Spencer Knight (4-0-0) have each earned at least four wins.
Owning a 19-5-3 record on home ice this season, the Panthers own a 12-2-0 mark over their last 14 games played at BB&T Center. Florida has allowed 1.93 goals against per home game over that span, the fourth-fewest in the NHL, while scoring 3.79 goals per home game, the fourth-highest in that span.
The Panthers are the first team in the NHL to have eight players score at least 10 goals for their team this season: – Barkov (26), Huberdeau (20), Vatrano (18), Verhaeghe (17), Wennberg (16), Hornqvist (14), Ekblad (11), Duclair (10).
Aleksander Barkov has produced 13 goals and 20 points (13-7-20) over his last 18 games and 13 points (8-5-13) over his last 11 games. The only Panther in franchise history to reach 50 points in six consecutive seasons, Barkov has registered at least 20 goals in six consecutive seasons, a franchise record. He tallied his 26th goal of the season in OT on May 3 vs. DAL, marking his sixth career OT GWG and second of the season. Only Olli Jokinen (10) has scored more OT goals in a Panthers uniform than Barkov.
Barkov leads FLA in goals (26), even-strength goals (18) and shots on goal (174), while ranking tied for first in even-strength points (37), second on the club in points (57), assists (31) and tied for second in takeaways (37). Barkov owns a 54.7 faceoff win percentage while averaging 21:03 TOI per game, the most among all FLA forwards.
Jonathan Huberdeau enters tonight’s game with 19 points (6-13-19) over his last 13 games, while owning a +17 rating. He has notched nine points (4- 5-9) over his last five games. The native of Saint-Jerome, Quebec notched two points (1-1-2) on May 8 vs. TBL, reaching his 20th goal and 60th point of the season. This season is Huberdeau’s fifth season with at least 20 goals and fourth consecutive season with at least 60 points. Huberdeau matched his career-high for points in a game with a five-point performance (2-3-5) on April 27 at NSH. He is the only player in franchise history to have registered two five-point games with the Panthers.
Huberdeau ranks first on FLA in points (61), assists (41) and power-play points (24), while tied for first on the club in even-strength points (37) and tied for second in takeaways (37). Florida’s franchise leader in assists (330) and points (498) is two 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 17 points (7-10-17) over his last 15 games played and points in five of his last seven games (4-3-7). Over Duclair’s last 15 games played, he is tied with Jonathan Huberdeau owning a league-best +17 rating, and has registered 15 of his 17 points at even-strength. With a three-point performance (2-1-3) on May 1 at CHI, Duclair tied his season-high for points in a game, while posting his first multi-goal game with FLA. He owns a career-best +26 rating this season, tied for the highest on FLA and tied for fourth among NHL forwards.
Since his debut with FLA on April 17, Sam Bennett has amassed 15 points (6-9-15) in 10 games, scoring six goals over his last nine games played. With his two point performance (1-1-2) on May 8 vs. TBL, Bennett set a new franchise record for points recorded by a Panthers player in their first 10 games with the club (6-9-15), passing the previous mark set by Pavel Bure (10-3-13, 1998-99). He has recorded points in each of his last six games played (3-7-10). Acquired from CGY on April 12, Bennett has recorded points in 13 of his last 14 total games played, amassing 20 points over that span (6-14-20).
MacKenzie Weegar has produced nine points (2-7-9) over his last seven games. Over the seven-game span, Weegar has produced points at even-strength, on the power play, shorthanded and in OT, while tied for second among NHL defensemen in points. Weegar ranks first among NHL defensemen in even-strength points (30) and stands at first in takeaways (41). Upon recording his 30th even-strength point of the season on May 8 vs. TBL, Weegar joined Jay Bouwmeester (2005-06, 2006-07), Aaron Ekblad (2019-20) and Keith Yandle (2017-18) as the only defensemen in franchise history to record 30 even strength points in a single season. His +26 rating ranks tied for first on FLA and tied for second among NHL defensemen. He leads FLA in blocked shots (81) and ranks second on the club in hits (117). Weegar’s career-high 35 points and 30 assists lead all FLA defensemen.
Keith Yandle is one point shy of his 600th NHL point. Upon reaching his 600th point, Yandle can become the 10th U.S.-born defenseman in NHL history to reach this milestone and the first from Massachusetts. Yandle produced two assists on May 3 vs. DAL, with his second helper being his 200th assist in a Panthers uniform. Yandle is also three assists shy of his 500th NHL assist. Upon reaching his 500th assist, Yandle can become the eighth U.S.-born defenseman to post 500 assists. Yandle’s 922 consecutive games played streak is the longest active games played streak in the NHL and secondlongest in NHL history.
Alex Wennberg registered his second hat trick of the season on May 8 vs. TBL, becoming the seventh Panther in franchise history to have produced multiple hat tricks in a single season. Wennberg’s three-goal effort set a new career-high for goals in a season surpassing his previous career-best of 13 (2016-17).
Owen Tippett has recorded six points (2-4-6) over his last five games. Over Florida’s last six games, Tippett has accumulated a team-high 24 shots on goal.
Grigori Denisenko has recorded assists in each of his last three games played (0-4-4).
Spencer Knight has earned wins in each of his four appearances this season, becoming the youngest goaltender in NHL history to start his career with four wins (20 years, 14 days).
With his 19th win of the season on May 8 vs. TBL, Sergei Bobrovsky ranked three 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 is one win away from tying Mark Fitzpatrick (43) for the fifth-most wins in Panthers history.
With a win tonight in their final regular season game, the Panthers can earn their 20th home win of the season.
Gustav Forsling has notched five points (1-4-5) over his last three games.
Radko Gudas leads the NHL in hits (239), averaging 4.51 hits per game.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– May 4: G Philippe Desrosiers loaned to Taxi Squad

– May 3: G Philippe Desrosiers recalled from Taxi Squad

FLA-TBL CONNECTIONS

FLA defenseman Radko Gudas was selected by TBL in the third round (66th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft. He played 126 games for TBL (2012-13 to 2014-15), producing 32 pts (7-25-32).
FLA defenseman Anton Stralman played 355 games for TBL (2014-15 to 2018-19), amassing 130 points (29-101-130). Stralman went to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final with TBL, recording 10 points (1-9-10) over 26 games during the 2014-15 Stanley Cup playoffs.
FLA forward Carter Verhaeghe played 52 games for TBL (2019-20), notching 13 points (9-4-13). He won the 2020 Stanley Cup with TBL, producing two assists over eight postseason games.
FLA forward Nikita Gusev was selected by TBL in the seventh round (202nd overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.
FLA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (2013-14 to 2016-17), FLA forward Alex Wennberg (2014-15 to 2016-17) and FLA defenseman Markus Nutivaara (2016-17) were teammates with TBL goaltender Curtis McElhinney on CBJ.
FLA defenseman Anton Stralman was teammates with TBL defenseman Ryan McDonagh on NYR from 2011-12 to 2013-14, including an appearance in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final.
FLA goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was teammates with TBL goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and TBL forward Nikita Kucherov on Team Russia at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
FLA defenseman Brandon Montour was teammates with TBL forwards Anthony Cirelli and Mathieu Joseph on Team Canada at the 2019 IIHF World Championships, earning Silver Medals.
FLA forward Nikita Gusev was teammates with TBL goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and TBL forward Nikita Kucherov on Team Russia at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships, earning Silver Medals.
TBL Head Coach Jon Cooper served as Assistant Coach on Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey which included FLA defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
FLA defenseman Anton Stralman and TBL defenseman Victor Hedman were teammates on Team Sweden at the 2017 IIHF World Championships, earning Gold Medals.
FLA forward Anthony Duclair and TBL forward Brayden Point were teammates on Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships, earning Gold Medals.
FLA forward Carter Verhaeghe and TBL forward Gemel Smith share the hometown of Toronto, Ontario.
FLA forward Owen Tippett and TBL forward Mitchell Stephens are cousins and share the hometown of Peterborough, Ontario.
FLA forward Alex Wennberg and TBL defenseman Andreas Borgman share the hometown of Stockholm, Sweden.
FLA Senior Advisor to the General Manager Rick Dudley served as General Manager of TBL from 1999-00 to 2001-02.

CHASING FRANCHISE HISTORY

Franchise Goals	Franchise Assists	Franchise Points
1. Olli Jokinen (188)	1. Jonathan Huberdeau (330)	1. Jonathan Huberdeau (498)
2. Aleksander Barkov (181)	2. Aleksander Barkov (283)	2. Aleksander Barkov (464)
3. Jonathan Huberdeau (168)	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: Yandle, Wennberg, Vatrano, Huberdeau (55)

Goals: Barkov (26)

Assists: Huberdeau (41)

Points: Huberdeau (61)

Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (8)

Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (24)

Shorthanded Goals: Barkov/Verhaeghe/Wennberg (1)

Shorthanded Points: Weegar (2)

Shots: Barkov (174)

PIM: Lomberg (65)
+/-: Weegar/Duclair (+26)

Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (54.7)

Blocked Shots: Weegar (81)

Hits: Gudas (239)

TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:05)

PP TOI/GP: Yandle (4:26)

SH TOI/GP: Acciari (2:40)

Wins: Bobrovsky (19)

Shutouts: Driedger (2)

ACTIVE STREAKS

Goal Streak Huberdeau (2 Games, 2 Goals)

Assist Streak Barkov (3 Games, 3 Assists), Tippett (2 Games, 3 Assists), Weegar (2 Games, 2 Assists)

Point Streak Barkov (3 Games, 2-3-5), Forsling (3 Games, 1-4-5), Tippett (3 Games, 1-3-4), Huberdeau (2 Games, 2-1-3), Weegar (2 Games, 1-2-3)

TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER

Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night presented by BB&T now Truist at BB&T Center. Fans will receive discounts on concessions and merchandise throughout the night.
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: Juan Carlos Avila

Tonight’s Hero Among Us is United States Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Juan Carlos Avila. Juan Carlos has served in the U.S. Coast Guard since 2003. He has assumed the duties of Enforcement Chief, Coast Guard Sector Miami, since July of 2020. His personal military awards include the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and three Coast Guard Achievement Medals.

BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Stormie Neale

GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
May 12, 1996: The Panthers defeat the Flyers 2-1 in overtime for the second consecutive game, as Mike Hough scores on PHI goaltender Ron Hextall 8:05 into the second OT to give the Cats a 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

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