Cats Forecast: Panthers ready to rock at FLA Live Arena

The Florida Panthers couldn't have asked for a better start to their 2022-23 season.
After picking up a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders in their season opener, they banked another two points and improved to 2-0-0 with a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Spreading out the offense, 12 different players have already recorded at least one point, including a team-leading three (one goal, two assists) for newcomer Matthew Tkachuk.
"We've been working," forward Ryan Lomberg said when asked about the keys to the team's hot start. "We've been playing against a couple teams that stick to their structure and work hard. To battle that, we've been out-working them and sticking to our guns. It's been great so far."

Eager to play in front of their own fans, the Panthers will close out their season-opening, three-game road trip with a big matchup against the Boston Bruins on Monday before hopping a flight back to South Florida to kick off a three-game homestand at FLA Live Arena.
After hosting the Philadelphia Flyers in their Home Opener on Wednesday, the Panthers will then face off against the cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday before closing things out with a rematch against the Islanders on Sunday.
"It's nice to get off to a start like we have," forward Sam Reinhart said. "A bunch of new systems and a bunch of new guys trying to get familiar. I've liked our pace and I've liked our work ethic."
To see what's going on this week and beyond for the Panthers, continue reading below.

THE GAMES

Monday: at Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m. ET
The Panthers will look to extend their season-opening winning streak to three games when they wrap up their road trip with a battle against the Bruins (2-0-0) at TD Garden on Monday. Closing out last week with a 6-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, the Bruins are tied for second in the NHL with 11 goals through their first two games. David Krejci and David Pastrnak are tied for first on the team in scoring with four points each, while A.J. Greer and Pavel Zacha have each tallied three points. Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have each started a game in net for Boston, with Ullmark leading the duo with a .943 save percentage in his lone outing. For the Panthers, who went 1-1-1 against the Bruins last season, look for Gustav Forsling to crack the scoresheet in this contest. Leading Florida in scoring against Boston in 2021-22, the smooth-skating defenseman racked up a four points (one goal, three assists) in three games.
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Wednesday: vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m. ET
After kicking off their season on the road, the Panthers will finally return to South Florida to host the Flyers (2-0-0) at FLA Live Arena on Wednesday. Arguably one of the biggest surprises during the first week or so of action in the NHL, the Flyers took down both the Vancouver Canucks (3-2) and New Jersey Devils (5-2) to open up their season. Travis Konecny leads Philadelphia in scoring with four points. Behind him, four other players have registered three points. Of their eight goals as a team this season, two have been scored on the power play. Between the pipes, Carter Hart has stopped 63 of 67 shots through his first two starts for a .940 save percentage. As for the home team, look for Sam Bennett to light the lamp for the Panthers. Feeding off the fans, Bennett scored a team-leading 21 goals in Sunrise in 2021-22.
TV & Streaming: TNT
Radio:96.5 WPOW-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Tickets:
Here
Friday: vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. ET
The first chapter of this season's Battle of Florida will be penned when the Panthers host the cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-0) at FLA Live Arena on Friday. Getting off to a less-than-ideal start, the Lightning have dropped two of their first this games this season, including a 6-2 loss on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Tied for first in the NHL with four goals, Steven Stamkos has scored 50% of Tampa Bay's goals thus far. Stamkos also ranks first on the team in points (5), while eight other players have recorded at least two points. In the crease, Andrei Vasilevskiy has started two of three games, going 1-1-0 with a .925 save percentage. After being eliminated by the Lightning in the playoffs each of the last two seasons, look for the Panthers to come out swinging in this contest. Getting his first real taste of the rivalry, Matthew Tkachuk, who has five points in nine career games against Tampa Bay, should be very active.
TV & Streaming:Hulu, ESPN+
Radio: 96.5 WPOW-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Tickets:
Here
Sunday: vs. New York Islanders, 5:00 p.m. ET
A rematch this early in the season? Sounds good! Facing off for the second time in just over a week, the Panthers will host the Islanders (1-1-0) at FLA Live Arena on Sunday. In their first meeting, Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 32 of 33 shots to lead Florida to a 3-1 win on Oct. 13. Following that loss, the Islanders rebounded with a 7-1 blowout win over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday. Up front, Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee are tied for first on New York in scoring with three points each. That being said, most of the offense has come from the blue line for the Islanders as defensemen Noah Dobson, Robin Salo and Scott Mayfield each have two goals. In net, Ilya Sorokin has posted a .941 save percentage over two starts. For the Panthers, look for Patric Hornqvist to create some chaos in this contest. Always working around the net, the hard-nosed veteran scored the game-winning goal last time out against the Islanders -- his 14th goal in 28 career games against New York.
TV & Streaming:Bally Sports Florida, ESPN+ (Out of Region)
Radio:96.5 WPOW-FM HD-2 (Dade/Broward); 1230 WBZT (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM App & Streaming Channel 932; NHL App
Tickets:
Here

ULTIMATE CATWALK

Who's ready to kick off the 2022-23 season in style?
Presented by South Florida BMW Centers, the Panthers will host their first-ever Ultimate Catwalk prior to the Home Opener on Wednesday. A free pre-game event at FLA Live Arena, fans that attend the event will get to watch players walk the red carpet while enjoying food and drink specials, live music and more.
For a FAQ and to RSVP to the Ultimate Catwalk, click
HERE
.

PINK IN THE RINK

In conjunction with the Promise Fund of Florida and Baptist Health Cancer Care, the Panthers will host 'Pink in the Rink Night' on Friday during their matchup against the Lightning.
The evening will have three key focuses: raising awareness for early breast cancer detection strategies, honoring those who are currently battling the disease, as well as those who have overcome it, and highlighting the incredibly dedicated members of our medical community.
As part of the event, the Panthers will wear exclusive warm-up jerseys that will be available for auction at FlaPanthers.givesmart.com. All fans in the building will also receive pink pom poms, a special giveaway with keepsake links to resources courtesy of Baptist Health Cancer Care.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click
HERE
.

PUCKS & PINTS BEERFEST

The Panthers are getting the party started early this season.
Back by popular demand, the 'Pucks & Pints Beerfest' is returning to FLA Live Arena on Sunday. Prior to watching the Panthers take on the Islanders, fans that purchase tickets to this special event will get to sample unique and refreshing beers from local breweries while rocking out to some great live music.
While puck drop for the game isn't until 5 p.m., Beerfest will kick off at 1:30 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click
HERE
.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Sandis Vilmanis is off to a good start during his first season in the OHL.
Tied for sixth on the Sarnia Sting in scoring with five points (one goal, four assists) through his first seven games, the 18-year-old forward showed plenty of potential when he netted the first goal of his junior career and also dished out three assists in a 6-2 win over the Soo Greyhounds on Oct. 9.
Selected by the Panthers in the fifth round (157th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Riga, Latvia native spent last season overseas with Lulea HF's U20 team in Sweden. Finishing tied for the club lead with 18 goals, he also ranked third on the team in scoring with 32 points.
Now in North America, he hopes to takes his game to another level.
"We have a great team [in Sarnia]," said Vilmanis, who was picked up by the Sting with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 CHL Import Draft. "I hope that we go as far as possible this season."

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

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We brought out the mini mic to find out.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

TERRITORY TALK

On the latest episode of the Territory Talk podcast, Sam Bennett stopped by to discuss his offseason, picking his personalized goal song, the growing buzz around the Panthers in South Florida and more.

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