Cats & Coffee: Grateful Dead Night; Pucks & Pints Part II

Good morning and welcome to "Cats & Coffee," a weekly segment, presented by Koffee Kult, in which we serve up an exciting look at what's on deck for your Florida Panthers. Like our friends at Koffee Kult, this forecast serves up only the best -- so sit back, sip and enjoy our latest brew of news, notes and information!
The Florida Panthers will hit the road for two games this week before returning to BB&T Center for a pair of exciting matchups and festive themed nights that certainly every fan can enjoy.

The Panthers (28-26-11) are coming off a frustrating week in which they went 1-1-3, with all four losses coming by just one goal, including one in overtime and two in a shootout. With 17 games left to play in the season, they currently sit 10 points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand.
"It's been a tough week," said Panthers winger Mike Hoffman, who lit the lamp four times last week to achieve the first 30-goal campaign of his career. "But there's no excuses at this time of year. We've got to be able to accumulate points and find ways to win."
With games against Pittsburgh, Boston, Minnesota and Detroit on the docket for this week, the Panthers know they can't afford to leave any points on the table. After visiting the Penguins on Tuesday and the Bruins on Thursday, they will return home to host the Wild and Red Wings on Friday and Sunday, respectively, with both of those nights featuring special in-arena events.
"The schedule just keeps getting tougher," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "This time of year, travel. Boston, Pittsburgh, then come home for a couple and then back out West again. Lots of games in March. It's our busiest month of the year. We've just got to keep plugging and trying to keep pulling points."
Here's everything you need to know for the week ahead…

THE GAMES

Tuesday: at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:00 p.m.
The Panthers will kick off their two-game road trip against the Penguins (34-22-9) at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday. Pittsburgh enters the week on the heels of a lopsided 5-1 win in Montreal on Saturday, but has lost three of its last five games overall. Two-time Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring and is tied for fourth in the NHL with 83 points, including six goals and 16 assists over his last 11 contests. For the Panthers, who own a 1-1-0 record against Pittsburgh this season, look for Troy Brouwer to be active in both ends of the ice, as the 33-year-old veteran has notched two goals, three assists and 23 hits over his last six games.
TV:FSF
Radio:TBD
Thursday: at Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m.
In the first of three matchups between the clubs this month, the Panthers will close the book on their quick trip with game against the Bruins (39-17-9) on Thursday night. Boston has won each of its last three games entering this week, surrendering just two combined goals in victories over New Jersey, Tampa and San Jose. Overall, the Bruins have come away with at least a point in each of their last 16 games, owning a 12-0-4 record in that span. The Panthers will likely need their captain and scoring leader, Aleksander Barkov, to keep leading the way in this contest, as the 23-year-old center has racked up nine goals and six assists over his last 15 games. Florida owns a 3-1-0 in its last four meetings with Boston, including a 5-0 victory in Sunrise on Dec. 4.
TV:FSF
Radio:TBD
Friday: Minnesota Wild, 7:00 p.m.
Following their quick trek to the northeast, the Panthers will return home to sunny South Florida to host the Wild (32-27-7) at BB&T Center on Friday. Minnesota enters the week fresh off of having its five-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 shootout loss against Nashville on Sunday. During its current 5-0-1 stretch, the Wild has surrendered two-or-fewer goals in five of six games. Zach Parise stands as Minnesota's leader in both goals (24) and points (54), while also posting 26 points in 34 career games versus Florida. For the Panthers, keep an eye on Jonathan Huberdeau in this one, as the 25-year-old winger has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) over his last nine games.
TV:FSF
Radio: TBD
In-Arena Activations:50-50 Raffle, Flashback Friday, Bucket Hat Giveaway, Grateful Dead Night, Cleveland Clinic Takeover Night
Tickets:
HERE
Sunday: Detroit Red Wings, 5:00 p.m.
Florida will wrap up its four-game week by welcoming the Red Wings (23-33-9) to BB&T Center on Sunday. Detroit enters the week mired in a difficult seven-game losing streak, dropping those contests by a combined score of 33-17. Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings in both goals (27) and points (62), including one goal and three assists in four games against Florida this season. The Panthers, who are 2-0-1 against the boys from Hockeytown this season, should expect Keith Yandle to make a dent on the scoresheet in this one. Leading Florida's defensemen in both points (52) and assists (43) this season, the 32-year-old also ranks tied for second in the NHL in power-play points (32). He also paces the league's defensemen in power-play goals (7).
TV:FSF
Radio:TBD
In-Arena Activations:50-50 Raffle, St. Patrick's Day, Pucks & Pints Beerfest, Foundation Jersey and Puck Auction
Tickets:
HERE

MILESTONE WATCH

• Keith Yandle is six goals away from his 100th NHL goal.
  - Aaron Ekblad is four assists away from his 100th NHL assist.
  - Vincent Trocheck is three goals away from his 100th NHL goal.
  - Aleksander Barkov is four games away from his 400th NHL game.
  - Evgenii Dadonov is six games away from his 200th NHL game.

PUCKS AND PINTS PART II

Who's ready for a second sip?
The "Pucks & Pints" Beerfest is returning to BB&T Center for a second time this season, giving fans a chance to sample some of the delicious local brews from all around South Florida before the Panthers drop the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.
Presented by Funky Buddha Brewery, the event will feature live music and beer sampling from various participating breweries. Of course, all fans must be 21 or older to attend the Beerfest.
The three ticket options available are as follows:
- VIP Entry (Club Endzone Ticket, Early Access to the Xikar Lounge at 1 p.m. and a $20.00 food and beverage to be used at concession stands during the game): $99
- General Admission (Upper Endzone ticket and access to Xikar Lounge at 2 p.m.): $55
- A season ticket holder option is available by clicking
HERE
.
All ticket packages come with a special 4oz "Pucks & Pints" exclusive sampling cup. To purchase tickets, please click
HERE
and use the promo code: PINTS.
In honor of St. Patrick's Day, players will be wearing themed green jerseys during warm-ups that will be auctioned off in-game and online through
auctions.nhl.com](https://auctions.nhl.com/iSynApp/allAuction.action?sid=1100803&rc=25&pgmode1=profilepage&pgcust1=panthers&pgcust2=partner&pgcust3=panname_teamName_s&qt[0].type=openbrac&qt[1].type=fieldmatch&qt[1].name=panname_profileName_s&qt[1].value1=team&qt[2].type=operand&qt[3].type=fieldmatch&qt[3].name=panname_teamName_s&qt[3].value1=panthers&qt[4
to benefit the Florida Panthers Foundation. Additionally, there will also be mystery signed St. Patrick's Day pucks available for purchase at the Foundation table located right outside of Club Lexus. See the below tweet to start bidding on select jerseys now!

GROOVY AND LOVING IT

If you're a fan of peace signs and Panthers, then boy do we have a theme night for you!
Grateful Dead Night is coming back to the BB&T Center on Friday, March 8, with plenty of groovy activities to enjoy both before and during Florida's matchup with the Minnesota Wild.
All fans who purchase tickets to Grateful Dead Night will receive an exclusive Grateful Dead Night T-Shirt as part of their ticket package. To purchase, click
HERE
and use the promo code "Grateful."
Pricing for the Grateful Dead Night tickets is as follows:
- Upper Level Goal Zone: $42
- Club Level Goal Zone: $64
- Lower Level Curve: $64
- Lord Stanley's Loft (all-inclusive): $93
- Corona Beach House (all-inclusive): $162
If you are a season ticket holder, you can purchase Grateful Dead Night add-on
HERE
.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

Ian McCoshen and Josh Brown visited Rickards Middle School to talk STEM and slap shots.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

COLD COFFEE (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)

--
Make sure to pick up your collectible Coca-Cola bottles celebrating Florida's 25th anniversary season. 
--
The Panthers recently announced a special "Learn to Play" program for girls ages 5-9. 
--

--
The Panthers hope to inspire a new generation of hockey fans with the help of "Soul on Ice."
--
The Panthers are gearing up for a big summer in free agency. 
-- What moves did the Panthers make on the trade deadline?
Find out here
.
-- Jameson Olive and Pete Rossi looked back at the trade deadline in the most recent episode of Territory Talk.