Panthers Pregamer Round 1, Game 1 vs. TBL

MAY 16, 2021 vs. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

ALL-TIME vs. TBL: 71-48-10-17

ALL-TIME HOME vs. TBL: 42-16-4-10

2020-21 vs. TBL: 5-2-1

REGULAR SEASON TEAM STATS

	FLORIDA (37-14-5)	TAMPA BAY (36-17-3)
GOALS FOR	188 (T-4^th most)	180 (T-8^th most)
GOALS AGAINST	151 (10^thfewest)	145 (6^th fewest)
POWER PLAY %	20.5 (15^th)	22.4 (9^th)
PENALTY KILL %	79.8 (17^th)	84.2 (4^th)
SHOTS FOR PER-GAME	34.9 (1^st)	30.2 (T-9^th most)
SHOTS AGAINST PER-GAME	30.0 (T-15^thfewest)	28.3 (9^th fewest)
5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT %	53.5 (5^th)	52.4 (9^th)
FACEOFF WIN %	50.2 (15^th)	50.1 (T-16^th)

CATS STATS

The Panthers will face the Lightning in the postseason for the first time in history. The Cats owned a 5-2-1 record over their eight matchups during the regular season, earning all five of their wins in regulation and earning wins in each of the last three contests. In each of the last three games against the two Sunshine State teams, FLA has scored at least four goals. On home ice this season vs. TBL, Florida owns a 3-1-0 mark.
Aleksander Barkov (1-7- 8) and Alex Wennberg (5-3-8) led FLA in scoring vs. TBL this season. Wennberg’s five goals tied for the most by any player against the Lightning this season. On May 8, Wennberg became the only player this season to register a hat trick vs. TBL.
The Panthers enter the postseason owning an 11-2-1 record over their last 14 games, matching their season-long win streak from March 27-April 4 with victories in each of their final six games. Over the six-game streak from April 27-May 10, Florida scored a league-leading 5.00 goals per game and 40.7 shots per game, the only team averaging more than 4 goals per game over that span. 13 different Cats tallied at least one goal and 20 recorded at least one point over the six-game clip.
This season, Florida posted franchise-record points percentages on home ice (.768, 20-5-3), on the road (.643, 17-9-2) and overall (.705, 37-14-5).
Owning a 20-5-3 record on home ice this season, the Panthers own a 13-2-0 mark over their last 15 games played at BB&T Center. Florida 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.
On home ice this season, Aleksander Barkov led FLA with 14 goals and 30 points, while Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar each paced the club with 19 assists. Weegar’s +25 rating on home ice ranked second in the NHL. Florida’s 2.32 goals against per game at home tied with TBL for sixth-fewest among NHL teams. Florida will open the playoffs tonight at home for the fifth time in franchise history.
Florida was the first team this season to have eight players record at least 10 goals for the team: Barkov (26), Huberdeau (20), Vatrano (18), Verhaeghe (18), Wennberg (17), Hornqvist (14), Ekblad (11), Duclair (10).
Aleksander Barkov led FLA in goals (26), even-strength goals (18), even-strength points (38), shots (176), and a career-high 54.9 faceoff win percentage during the regular season. He ranked second on FLA in assists (32), points (58), power-play goals (7), power-play points (19), game-winning goals (6), overtime goals (2), takeaways (39), and total time on ice (1,046:52). Barkov is the only Panther in club history to record six consecutive 50-point and 20-goal seasons.
Over 10 career NHL postseason games with FLA Barkov has amassed seven points (4-3-7), averaging a point-per-game during the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifying Round vs. NYI (1-3-4 in 4 GP). Over 34 career games vs. TBL, Barkov has logged 28 points (5-23-28), including a point-per-game average this season (1-7-8 in 8 GP).
Jonathan Huberdeau led FLA in assists (41), points (61) and power-play points (24) for the second straight season, ranking second on the club in goals (20) and even-strength points (37) and fourth in even-strength goals (15), power-play goals (5), and shots (122). At the conclusion of FLA’s season on May 10, Huberdeau’s 61 points sat tied for ninth-most among NHL skaters and his 41 assists were tied for seventh-most. The 27-year-old native of Saint-Jerome, Quebec, is the only Panther in club history to record five points in a game twice (April 27 at NSH and Feb. 4 vs. NSH).
This season marked Huberdeau’s fifth with at least 20 goals, and his fourth consecutive campaign with at least 60 points. Florida’s franchise leader for assists (330) and points (498) has recorded six points (2-4-6) over 10 career NHL postseason games, including three (1-2-3) over four games vs. NYI in the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifying Round. Huberdeau has produced 38 points (13-25-38) over 38 games vs. TBL, the most points he has registered against any NHL team. His point-per-game trend vs. TBL continued this season, logging seven points (3-4-7) over seven games against FLA’s cross-state rival.
Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to become the first Panthers goaltender to make consecutive postseason appearances since John Vanbiesbrouck (1996-1997). The 32-year-old earned 19 wins this season for the Cats and posted a 10-3-2 mark on home ice. Over four career playoff games against TBL in 2019, Bobrovsky owned a 4-0-0 record, 2.01 goals against average and .932 save percentage.
Anthony Duclair is expected to make his NHL playoff debut tonight. Duclair finished the season registering 16 points (6-10-16) and a team-leading +18 rating over his last 14 games of the season. Over that span, Duclair notched 14 of his 16 points at even strength, while owning a 19.4 shooting percentage. Duclair logged a career-best +27 rating this season. Duclair registered four points (3-1-4) over seven contests vs. TBL in 2020-21.
Since his debut with FLA on April 17, Sam Bennett 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). Bennett enters the playoffs having 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). In his career in the playoffs, Bennett has produced 19 points (11-8-19) in 30 games. During the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bennett led CGY with eight points (tied) and five goals.
Head Coach Joel Quenneville has won four Stanley Cups in his coaching career, with three won as Head Coach of CHI (2010, 2013, 2015). One of only 11 head coaches in NHL history to have won three Stanley Cups, Quenneville ranks third all-time for postseason wins by a head coach (119), five shy of surpassing Al Arbour (124) for second all-time.
Patric Hornqvist has played in 90 career playoff games, winning two Stanley Cup championships with PIT (2016, 2017). He scored the Cup-clinching goal in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. Carter Verhaeghe won the 2020 Stanley Cup with TBL and Scott Wilson won the 2017 Stanley Cup, while Noel Acciari (2019) and Anton Stralman (2014, 2015) have each reached the Stanley Cup Final in their careers.
In his first season with the Panthers, Hornqvist led FLA with eight power-play goals, including two against TBL. In 44 games with FLA, Hornqvist’s 32 points (14-18-32) matched his point total from his previous season, doing so in seven less games played. In four games during the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers, Hornqvist posted two points (1-1-2). Over his last five postseason appearances, Hornqvist has accumulated 20 goals over 62 games. He has amassed 22 points (11-11-22) over 28 career regular season games vs. TBL.
MacKenzie Weegar produced 11 points (3-8-11) over his final eight games of the season and finished his 2020-21 campaign with a career-high 36 points and 30 assists. Finishing first among defensemen in even-strength points (31), 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 +29 rating tied for first among NHL defensemen and marked the second-highest plus/minus rating in a single season by a Panther in franchise history, behind only Brian Campbell (+31, 2015-16).
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 registered six points (2-4-6) over his final six games of the regular season. The 22-year-old led all Panthers rookies in games played (45), goals (7), assists (11), points (18) and shots on goal (86).

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
– May 10: D Kevin Connauton recalled to active roster
– 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.
FLA defenseman Radko Gudas won the 2012 Calder Cup while playing for Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, winning alongside present-day TBL forwards Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat, as well as TBL GM Julien BriseBois, Head Coach Jon Cooper and Goaltending Coach Frantz Jean.
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.

PANTHERS LEADERS

Games Played: Yandle, Wennberg, Vatrano (56)

Goals: Barkov (26)

Assists: Huberdeau (41)

Points: Huberdeau (61)

Power-Play Goals: Hornqvist (8)

Power-Play Points: Huberdeau (24)

Shorthanded Goals: Barkov/Verhaeghe/Wennberg/Lammikko (1)

Shorthanded Points: Weegar (2)

Shots: Barkov (176)

PIM: Lomberg (67)
+/-: Weegar (+29)

Faceoff Win % (Min. 100 faceoffs): Barkov (54.9)

Blocked Shots: Weegar (83)

Hits: Gudas (250)

TOI/GP: Ekblad (25:05)

PP TOI/GP: Yandle (4:27)

SH TOI/GP: Acciari/Weegar (2:40)

Wins: Bobrovsky (19)

Shutouts: Driedger (3)

ACTIVE STREAKS

Goal Streak Wennberg (2 Games, 4 Goals)

Assist Streak Barkov (4 Games, 4 Assists)

Point Streak Barkov (4 Games, 2-4-6), Weegar (3 Games, 2-2-4), Wennberg (2 Games, 4-0-4)

TONIGHT AT BB&T CENTER

All fans in attendance will receive a 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs rally towel courtesy of HairClub.
Fans can enjoy a ‘Happy Hour’ on the JetBlue Tarmac and CITY Furniture Lounge from 6-6:30 p.m. ET prior to doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
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.
FLA Live! Is the ultimate fan experience game day mobile application. Available now on iOS and coming soon to Android, fans of tonight’s game can download the application for ticket management, mobile and contactless ordering, Panthers Predict gaming and more! For details, visit FloridaPanthers.com/FLALIVE.

PANTHERS COMMUNITY HEROES

City Furniture Military Hero: Robert “Woody” Woodbury

Tonight’s Hero Among Us is WWII and Korean War Veteran, Robert “Woody” Woodbury. Woody served as a pilot in the United States Marine Corps and flew over 100 combat missions during deployments to Japan and Korea before completing his military service in 1958. He is the recipient of an Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/ Combat “V”, U.N. Medal, and Korean Service Medal w/ 2 Stars.

BB&T (Now Truist) Territory Teammate: Patrick Bayne

GREAT MOMENTS IN PANTHERS HISTORY
May 14, 1996: The Panthers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 at Miami Arena to seal a 4-2 series victory in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, earning a trip to play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Finals. Bill Lindsay recorded two points (1-1-2) including FLA’s first goal, and John Vanbiesbrouck stopped 34 of 35 PHI shots to cement the win.