Panthers "Mentally Ready" to Host High-Scoring Islanders

SUNRISE, Fla. - The Florida Panthers know that their defense will be put to the test on Monday night, as the high-scoring New York Islanders make their lone visit to the BB&T Center this season.
The Islanders (15-8-2) currently boast the league's top-ranked offense, averaging 3.72 goals per game behind the outstanding play of center John Tavares, who ranks third in the league with 16 goals in 25 games.

"We have some history with the Islanders," Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad said. "It's going to be a fun game. It's always a pretty tight game with these guys. They have some very good offensive upside. We've got to try and slow them down there, play low in our own end, and good things will happen."
"I think if we can find ways to get some wins at home here and start building some momentum, we're going in the right path so it should boost us with some confidence. This is the time, we fee, we should be taking off. It starts tonight from the drop of the puck. We're going to be mentally ready."
The Panthers (10-13-3) have struggled to find some offense of their own in recent weeks, scoring two-or-fewer goals over their past eight games, despite averaging 41 shots on goal during that span. With the vast majority of their shots being taken in low-danger areas, Bjugstad said the Panthers will need to start focusing on the quality of their chances rather than the quantity, with the coaching staff placing added emphasis on getting more shots near the crease.
"That's the big difference," said Bjugstad, who has 12 points (6-6-12) in 26 games this season. "If we can get more quality chances there and maybe a few less shots outside, I think that'll be better for us. That's the name of the game, just whacking and hacking at the base of the net. I feel like if we get that going and get to the net, that'll make the difference."
Panthers coach Bob Boughner made only one change to his lineup heading into tonight's game, inserting Connor Brickley back into the lineup on Florida's third line. The 25-year-old forward had been a healthy scratch in each of the last four games, but has eight points (2-6-8) in 18 contests this season.
"Every game, I just need to bring it consistently," Brickley said. "Tonight, I'll be ready to go to show that now that I'm back in the lineup that I stay and that I don't have to be a healthy scratch to teach me a lesson. I just want to play my game and be valuable to the team."
The Panthers are 47-30-8-8 all-time against the Islanders.

NOTES

• Panthers associate coach Jack Capuano served as head coach of the Islanders for seven seasons (2010-11 to 2016-17). With the Islanders, Capuano owned a 227-192-64 record over 438 games. "It's just another game here," Capuano said of his first game against his former team. "We have to go out and try to play 60 minutes of hockey against a really good team."
  - While the Panthers have struggled on offense as of late, the same can't be said about their goaltending, as starter Roberto Luongo and backup James Reimer are each coming off strong performances over the weekend. "If we get that kind of goaltending, they'll give us a chance to win every night," Boughner said of the tandem. Luongo, who is 5-3-0 over his last eight starts, will get the nod against New York tonight.
  - After scoring a goal on Saturday in Carolina, Nick Bjugstad will once again lineup alongside Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau on Florida's top line. "I've only played a game or two with Barkov," Bjugstad said. "Knowing your on the ice with him, you've gotta realize when he's coming up the ice that he's going to find you and find a way to beat one or two guys to get you the puck."
  -Aleksander Barkov owns a 6-1-1 record in head-to-head, regular-season matchups against John Tavares, with 9 points (3-6-9) to Tavares' 7 (2-5-7).

PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards
Jonathan Huberdeau - Aleksander Barkov - Nick Bjugstad
Jamie McGinn - Vincent Trocheck - Denis Malgin
Connor Brickley - Jared McCann - Radim Vrbata
Micheal Haley - Derek MacKenzie - Colton Sceviour
Defense
Keith Yandle - Aaron Ekblad
Mike Matheson - Mark Pysyk
Ian McCoshen - Alexander Petrovic
Goalies
Roberto Luongo
James Reimer
Scratches:Henrik Haapala, Dryden Hunt, MacKenzie Weegar
Injured Reserve: Evgenii Dadonov (upper-body; games missed: 4)

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• Nov. 30: F Evgenii Dadonov placed on IR
  - Nov. 30: F Radim Vrbata activated from IR
  - Nov. 27: F Denis Malgin recalled from Springfield (AHL)

HOW TO WATCH

When:Monday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where:BB&T Center - Sunrise, FL
TV coverage: FOX Sports Florida (check local listings)
Florida Panthers Radio Network Presented by HARD Lifestyle Beverages: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 640 WMEN (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 1370 WAXE (Treasure Coast) *WAXE START TIME 8PM
Where to stream it: FOX Sports GO and NHL.TV (outside state of Florida)
Tickets:
https://www.nhl.com/panthers/tickets