Facing off eight times last season, the Hurricanes were the only team to own a winning record against the Panthers in 2020-21. This season, however, the Panthers have come out on top in each of their two meetings, following up a 5-2 win on Nov. 6 with a 4-3 overtime win on Jan. 8.
Wrapping up their season series in front of a national television audience on TNT tonight, Panthers interim head coach Andrew Brunette expects the action to remain just as tight.
"They're highly-competitive games dating back to last year," Brunette said. "I wouldn't say there's a dislike, but there's competition there to be the next Tampa. It's a good measuring stick for both teams. We both feel like we're the team ready to take that step. It's been a lot of fun hockey to watch. They've been close games, emotional games, and I expect the same tonight."
While the Hurricanes have already played four games since returning from the All-Star break, the Panthers have been out of action since Feb. 1. Prior to the break, however, the Panthers were on a nice run, winning 14 of their last 18 games while outscoring their opponents 89-51.
Also earning plenty of individual accolades in January, Jonthan Huberdeau, who ranks third in the NHL in scoring with 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists), was named the league's "First Star of the Month" after posting 25 points (six goals, 19 assists) in 15 games, while Anton Lundell was honored as "Rookie of the Month" after tallying 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 15 games.
Since the NHL began naming stars of the month during the 2006-07 season, no team had ever earned both "First Star of the Month" and "Rookie of the Month" in the same calendar month.
"The last half of the season is going to be the most fun," Huberdeau smiled.
Looking to build off a strong first half, Sergei Bobrovsky will man the crease for the Panthers. Owning a 23-4-3 record with a .920 save percentage, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner has posted an outstanding .924 save percentage in 26 career appearances against the Hurricanes.
With extra time to heal up over the break, Patric Hornqvist, who's been out since Jan. 18 with an upper-body injury, is expected to return to the lineup against Carolina. A leader on and off the ice, the 35-year-old has registered 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 37 games this season.
In addition to Hornqvist, Brunette said that Noel Acciari and Olli Juolevi will also be activated off the injured reserve list shortly and could return at some point during this three-game road trip.
"He brings a lot of energy," Panthers defenseman Radko Gudas said of Hornqvist, who spent this morning's skate back in his usual spot lining up alongside Ryan Lomberg and Eetu Luostarinen on the fourth line. "It's fun to have him back in the lineup and to have him in practice and around the guys. He brings energy that everybody feeds off of. It's fun to have him back."
Off to a less-than-ideal start since returning from the break, the Hurricanes have lost three of their last four games, including a 3-2 loss at Minnesota on Saturday. Trailing the Wild 3-0 in the third period, Andrei Svechnikov then scored two goals, but it was too little too late for Carolina.
Still, despite their recent hiccup, there's no question that the Hurricanes, like the Panthers, are one of the most-dangerous teams in the NHL. Strong at both ends, they own the league's fifth-ranked offense (3.48 goals per game) and top-ranked defense (2.37 goals allowed per game).
Expected to draw in against Florida, Frederik Andersen, who has picked up wins in seven of his last nine starts, has been a huge part of that success on the defensive side of the puck. In 33 games so far this season, the all-star goaltender has gone 25-7-1 with a .929 save percentage.
Leading the charge up front, Sebastian Aho is first on the team in goals (21) and points (48). After him, Svechnikov is second in scoring with 44 points, while Tony DeAngelo is third with 38. In 22 career games against the Panthers, Aho has recorded 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists).
With 47 games down and 35 to go, Florida's second-half push starts tonight.
"Ready to go," Brunette said. "Tough practicing [so much]. I don't think we've had that many practices for a long time. Seeing the rest of the league play makes everybody a little itchy. We're excited. We're going to get a cranky Hurricanes team here. For me, the first period is going to be huge, the first shifts. They've been playing, and we've got to get our feet wet here."
