Cats Forecast: Caps & Canes Come to Town

Off to their best start in franchise history, the Panthers have earned some rest.
Sitting pretty at 8-0-1 and in first place in the entire NHL with 17 points, they'll have a few days to recharge this week before hosting two of the other top teams in the league. After welcoming the Capitals to FLA Live Arena on Thursday, they'll then clash with the Hurricanes on Saturday.
After playing four games last week, a two-game week is certainly a nice respite.

"It's huge," Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar said following Monday's practice at the Panthers IceDen. "We had a tough schedule there at the start. I think we played seven games in 10 days, including three in four nights, so we're getting some rest here and just regrouping."
Asked about that stellar October, Weegar said the teams is only focused on November now.
"A great start to the season," he said. "A good month of October. But like we've been saying the whole time here, it's game by game, shift by shift. We're all focused on Washington right now."
From heavyweight matchups to a new food item, here's what fans should look out for this week.

THE GAMES

Thursday: Washington Capitals, 7:00 p.m.
After resting up, the Panthers will get back to work when they host the Capitals (5-0-3) at FLA Live Arena on Thursday. Earning points in eight straight games to start the season, Washington enters the week on the heels of a 2-0 win over the Coyotes on Friday. Needing to make only 16 saves to earn the shutout in that matchup, goaltender Illya Samsonov improved to 3-0-1 with a .904 save percentage. Picking up a point in every game so far this season, Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 15 points (nine goals, six assists), including notching a goal and an assist against Arizona. Looking strong at both ends of the ice, Washington currently ranks fifth in the league on offense (3.75 goals per game) and tied for seventh on defense (2.38 goals-allowed per game). Leading the Panthers in scoring with 11 points (three goals, eight assists), look for Jonathan Huberdeau to find his way onto the scoresheet in this game. Finding success against Washington throughout his career, he's tallied six goals and 13 assists in 22 games.
TV: Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio:560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS) SIRIUSXM CHANNEL 222/APP & STREAMING 932
Tickets:
HERE
Saturday: Carolina Hurricanes, 6:00 p.m.
Two of the top teams in the league will meet when the Panthers welcome the Hurricanes (8-0-0) to FLA Live Arena on Saturday. Going undefeated in the month of October -- but still trailing the Panthers by one point for best record in the league -- Carolina cruises into this week fresh off a 2-1 win against the Coyotes on Sunday. Allowing just 1.50 goals per game, the Hurricanes are currently the top-defensive team in the league. A big part of that success has been the play of goaltender Frederik Andersen. In net for seven of eight games to start the season, he's gone 7-0-0 with a 1.29 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage. Up front, Andrei Svechnikov leads the team in goals (7) and points (11), while Tony DeAngelo has recorded the most assists (7). As the Panthers attempt to establish themselves as the top dog in the Eastern Conference in this matchup, look for captain Aleksander Barkov to lead the charge against Carolina. Riding a four-game point streak entering this week, Barkov, who ranks second on the team in scoring with 10 points (five goals, five assists), has also recorded three goals over his last two games. In 28 career games against the Hurricanes, he's produced 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists).
TV:Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio:560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS) SIRIUSXM CHANNEL 219/APP & STREAMING 932
Tickets:
HERE

MILESTONE WATCH

• Anthony Duclair is five goals away from his 100th goal.
  - Aleksander Barkov needs three goals to move into first place on the franchise's all-time list.
  - Joe Thornton needs three more points to move into 13th place on the NHL's all-time list.

HAYES JERSEY AUCTION

The Panthers said goodbye to a dear friend on Sunday.
Honoring former NHL forward Jimmy Hayes, who passed away in August at age 31, both the Panthers and Bruins donned customized jerseys with two of his nicknames -- "HAYESY" and "BROADWAY" -- emblazoned on the back during warmups prior to their game at TD Garden.

"A pleasure and a joy to be around," said Panthers Interim Head Coach Andrew Brunette, who played with Hayes in Chicago during the 2011-12 season. "It's hard to not being able to see him again. To be a part of tonight, you're at least able to say goodbye. It's a special one tonight."
With all proceeds benefitting charities to be determined by both teams and the Hayes family, those jerseys --- which also sport Hayes' No. 12 for the Panthers -- are now up for auction. To bid on one of the sweaters, click HERE.

LOOKING DASHING

There's nothing like running for a good cause.
Presented by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Cats will hold their second-annual "Stache Dash 5k" on Nov. 20 to raise awareness for men's cancer research and prevention.
The official race will begin at 8 a.m., while the one-mile fun run will kick off at 8:45 a.m.
To sign up to race digitally or on-site, click HERE.
During the race, all runners are encouraged to post photos and videos on social media tagging @FlaPanthers and @SylvesterCancer on Twitter while using the hashtag #FLAStacheDash.

LUCKY FAN CONTEST

Like the Panthers, fans can also win big at FLA Live Arena.
At every single home game throughout the 2021-22 season, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek is giving away a $200 gift card to their award-winning NYY Steak restaurant to one very lucky fan.
Surf, turf and spirits? There's nothing better!
To enter the contest, click HERE.

KING'S CONCESSIONS

For all you foodies out there, the Panthers will be unveiling a new item this week.
Made in collaboration with quarterback and "FLA Athlete" D'Eriq King, the "King Dog" will be available at select concession stands beginning with Saturday's game against the Hurricanes.
After that, this chili cheese dog will be available at every Saturday game through December.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Cole Schwindt had himself a nice weekend down in the AHL.
After helping lead the Checkers to a 3-2 win over the Wolf Pack with a goal and an assist on Saturday, he then tallied a shorthanded goal during a 5-3 loss to the Thunderbirds on Sunday.
To watch Schwindt's first-career shorty in the pros, check the tweet below.

Taken by the Panthers in the third round (81st overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Schwindt, who made his pro debut and appeared in 10 games in the AHL with the Crunch last season, has already set career-highs in both goals (2) and points (3) through seven games this season.
In his final OHL season in 2020-21, he notched 71 points (28 goals, 43 assists) in 57 games.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

Is there anything prettier than a backhand goal from Aleksander Barkov?
The clip below makes a pretty good argument that nothing is.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

Tweet from @StanleyCPanther: Trick or Treat!!! #stangrams #flapanthers #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/sYZP0rxrbO
Tweet from @StanleyCPanther: Boo! 👻 #stangrams #flapanthers #timetohunt pic.twitter.com/fkny1twhYe

TERRITORY TALK

On the latest episode of the Territory Talk podcast, NHL.com deputy managing editor Brian Compton joins the show to share all of his thoughts on Florida's torrid start to the season.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

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BLOG: Panthers, Bruins Pay Tribute to Jimmy Hayes 
-
Panthers Celebrate Head Equipment Manager's 1,500th Professional Game
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5 TAKEAWAYS: Despite Loss in Boston, Panthers Keep Point Streak Alive 
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5 TAKEAWAYS: Panthers Stay Undefeated After 'Unbelievable Finish' 
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Panthers Announce Community Drives for 2021-22 Season