Panthers Look for 'More Consistency' in Matchup with Oilers
"I think we've just got to find our game again - more intensity, more emotion," Panthers winger Jonathan Huberdeau said. "Since the All-Star break we haven't showed anything really. Right now, we know it's important. Everybody's coming to the rink and excited about that challenge."
The Panthers (30-21-6), who currently trail the Toronto Maple Leafs (30-20-8) by two points for third place in the Atlantic Division with one game in hand, enter tonight's matchup on the heels of a 6-2 loss to Philadelphia on home ice - their second loss to the Flyers in less than a week.
In that loss, Florida fell behind 4-0 before Huberdeau and captain Aleksander Barkov scored back-to-back goals early in the third period to trim the deficit down to 4-2. Unfortunately after that, however, Philadelphia answered right back with two more goals to secure the 6-2 final.
After winning six straight heading into the All-Star break, the Panthers have gone 2-5-1 since.
"We need more consistency out of our group," Panthers coach Joel Quenneville said. "No matter who you're out there with or who you're out there against, we've got to get more predictable in our team game, with and without the puck. That urgency or that compete-level has got to be at that high standard we're going to need to be a playoff team."
Between the pipes, Florida could potentially turn to backup goaltender Sam Montembeault in tonight's contest against the Flyers after starter Sergei Bobrovsky sat out Friday's practice with an illness. Bobrovsky owns a 20-17-5 record this season, while Montembeault has gone 5-2-1.
In other injury news, center Noel Acciari, who left in the second period against Philadelphia with an upper-body injury, is expected to be in the lineup tonight. In the midst of his first season with the Panthers, the 28-year-old has already set new career-highs in goals (19) and points (24).
"He's good to go," Quenneville said.
Sitting second in the Pacific Division with a 30-21-6 record, the Oilers have lost three of their last five games, including a 3-1 loss in Tampa Bay on Saturday. Against the Lighting, Caleb Jones lit the lamp for Edmonton, while goaltender Mike Smith turned aside 34 of 36 shots. Smith, who could get the nod again tonight against the Panthers, is 8-1-1 over his last 10 starts.
"They've got a strong team game," Quenneville said of the Oilers. "They've improved in that area. Obviously they've got some key players that you've got to be aware of, but they're missing [the most key player] maybe in the game. It's something to be aware of with that group."
As Quenneville mentioned, tonight's tilt will be Edmonton's third game without Connor McDavid, who is expected to miss 2-3 weeks after suffering a quad injury on Feb. 8 at Nashville. Arguably the top player in the league, the 23-year-old has recorded 30 goals and 51 assists this season.
Even without McDavid, however, the Oilers still boast a potent offense led by Leon Draisaitl, who leads the league in scoring with 90 points (32 goals, 58 assists). In his last 16 games, the 24-year-old has posted 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists), including 10 multi-point performances.
In their only previous meeting this season, Florida won 6-2 in Edmonton back on Oct. 27.
"Every team's going to come in and play hard," said Huberdeau, who leads the Panthers in scoring with 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists). "It's just going to get harder until the end of the season. That's what we've got to do. We've stayed at the same level instead of being better."
Following tonight's contest, the Panthers will embark on a five-game road trip.
PANTHERS NOTES
-- Aleksander Barkov ranks second on the Panthers in scoring with 56 points (17 goals, 39 assists). Over his last 11 games, the 24-year-old center has produced at a point-per-game clip while registering four goals and seven assists. Of his 56 points, 35 have come on home ice.
-- A 2020 NHL All-Star, Jonathan Huberdeau leads Florida and ranks tied for ninth in the league with 69 points (20 goals, 49 assists). With a goal in Thursday's loss to Philadelphia, the 26-year-old winger reached the 20-goal mark for the third straight season and fourth time in his career.
-- Evgenii Dadonov leads Florida in goals (23) and power-play goals (10).
-- Mike Hoffman has at least one point in 14 of his last 18 games, recording eight goals and 11 assists in that span. The 30-year-old winger ranks second on the Panthers in goals (21), third in points (46) and first in shots (163). He also leads the team in goals scored on home ice (14).
-- Noel Acciari ranks tied for third on Florida with a career-high 19 goals. In addition to his offensive numbers, he also stands first among the league's forwards in blocked shots (84).
-- Keith Yandle ranks first among Florida's defensemen with 41 points (five goals, 36 assists), marking the seventh straight season he's hit the 40-point plateau. The NHL's active "Iron Man," the 33-year-old is expected to suit up in his 855th consecutive regular-season game tonight.
-- Frank Vatrano has recorded 11 points (six goals, five assists) over his past 13 games.
-- Mark Pysyk has tallied 12 points (six goals, six assists) over his last 16 games, including a pair of three-point performances. Making the switch from defense to forward this season, the 28-year-old has already set a new career-high with eight goals.
-- Vincent Trocheck has notched four points (one goal, three assists) over his last four games. The 26-year-old center leads Florida in takeaways (46) and sits third on the team in hits (74).
PROJECTED LINEUP (NO MORNING SKATE)
Forwards
Jonathan Huberdeau - Aleksander Barkov - Evgenii Dadonov
Mike Hoffman - Vincent Trocheck - Brett Connolly
Frank Vatrano - Dominic Toninato - Colton Sceviour
Mike Matheson - Noel Acciari - Mark Pysyk
Defensemen
MacKenzie Weegar - Aaron Ekblad
Riley Stillman - Anton Stralman
Keith Yandle - Josh Brown
Goalies
Sergei Bobrovsky
Sam Montembeault
Scratches: Denis Malgin, Jayce Hawryluk, Brian Boyle (upper-body)
Injured Reserve: Chris Driedger (lower-body)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
- Jan. 30: G Sam Montembeault and D Riley Stillman were recalled from AHL Springfield.
- Jan. 22: G Sam Montembeault and D Riley Stillman were loaned to AHL Springfield.
IN-ARENA ACTIVATIONS
-
50/50 Raffle with guaranteed pot of at least $25,000
- Baptist Health Takeover Night
- Book Drive
- Territory Takeover (Parkland/Coral Springs)
HOW TO WATCH / LISTEN
When: Saturday, Feb. 15, 4:00 p.m. ET
Where:BB&T Center - Sunrise, FL
TV: FSF
Stream:
FOX Sports GO
Panthers Radio Network: 790 WAXY (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); SiriusXM Streaming 220/932
Tickets:
HERE
