Tuesday: Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:00 p.m.
After splitting their first two matchups earlier in the season, the Panthers will face off against the Lightning (14-10-3) once again at BB&T Center on Tuesday. Tampa Bay has lost four of its last six games, but enters the week fresh off a 7-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. The top-ranked offense in the league with an average of 3.74 goals per game, the Lightning are led by the trio of Nikita Kucherov (31 points), Victor Hedman (27 points) and Steven Stamkos (25 points). Kucherov is also tied with Brayden Point for the team-lead in goals with 10. As for the Panthers, who boast the league's fourth-ranked offense at 3.52 goals per game, look for Sasha Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau to both do some damage in this game. Tied for the team-lead in scoring with 36 points each, the top-line duo has combined for 16 goals and 30 assists over the last 17 games. Of those 16 goals, 11 of them have come while the team is at even strength. In their most-recent matchup, the Panthers topped the Lightning 4-3 in Sunrise back on Oct. 5.
TV: FSF
Radio: 560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 1370 WAXE (TREASURE COAST)
In-Arena Activations:
50/50 Raffle
; Same Here South Florida; Caravan of Joy Toy Drive with NBC6 and Twin Peaks; Nacho Tots Tuesday;
Holiday Jersey Auction at Foundation Table outside Club Lexus
Tickets:
HERE
Thursday: New York Islanders, 7:00 p.m.
In their final matchup of the regular season, the Panthers will look to avoid a sweep against the Islanders (19-7-2) at BB&T Center on Tuesday. Florida has gone 0-1-1 against New York so far this season, losing one game in the shootout and the other by a goal. As for the Islanders, they enter this week on the heels of a 3-1 loss at the Dallas Stars on Saturday. After having their 17-game point streak snapped on Nov. 25, they've lost four of their last seven games. Led by the two-headed monster of Thomas Greiss (.930 save percentage) and Semyon Varlamov (.923 save percentage) in net, New York owns the fourth-ranked defense in the league, surrendering an average of 2.43 goals per game. However, look for Brett Connolly to put a little dent in that defense for the Panthers. The 27-year-old winger and sneaky-amazing offseason pickup leads the team with 14 goals this season, including eight over his last 10 games. He also ranks tied for fifth on the team with 21 points and has cracked the scoresheet in nine of the last 11 games.
TV: FSF
Radio:560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 1370 WAXE (TREASURE COAST)
In-Arena Activations:
50/50 Raffle
; $5 Beer Thursday; Star Wars Night; Cooper and Hunter Takeover Night
Tickets:
HERE
Saturday: Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m.
A month after their epic comeback in Boston, the Panthers will host the Atlantic Division-leading Bruins (20-4-6) at BB&T Center on Saturday. In their last meeting, Florida clawed back from down 4-0 in the third period to win 5-4 in a shootout at TD Garden on Nov. 12 - the first time the team has ever erased such a deficit to win a game in franchise history. Heading into this week's rematch, the Bruins are looking to shake out of a two-game skid after a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. Prior to their current losing streak, they had won eight in a row. Boston is led up front by Brad Marchand (44 points) and David Pastrnak (43 points). Pastrnak also has 25 goals, which leads both the team and the league. Over his last 11 contests, the 23-year-old winger has lit the lamp nine times. For the Panthers, look for Keith Yandle to contribute some offense from the blue line against his hometown team. Entering this week on a five-game point streak, the 33-year-old veteran leads Florida's blueliners in points (26) and ranks second among the league's defensemen in assists (23). In his last 14 games, he has two goals and 16 assists.
TV: FSF
Radio:560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 1370 WAXE (TREASURE COAST)
In-Arena Activations:
50/50 Raffle with Guaranteed Pot of at Least $25,000
; Territory Takeover (Sunrise/Plantation); World of Coca-Cola Polar Bear Appearance
Tickets:
HERE