SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers will finally get a chance to play in front of their own fans when they host the Minnesota Wild at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
Celebrating their home opener, the Panthers went 2-0-2 on their season-opening road trip.
“It’s seeing the energy from the crowd, playing at home again,” forward Matthew Tkachuk said. “We’re very lucky here to have a big home-ice advantage with the crowd. It’s been probably six months since we’ve played a real game at home, so they’ll be fired up.”
Getting a boost from their fans, the Panthers are 7-0-0 in their last seven home openers.
That winning streak is the fifth-best mark among active franchises.
Across the ice, the Wild followed up two wins with two losses and sit at 2-1-1.
The last time out, Minnesota suffered a 3-2 loss at Tampa Bay on Thursday.
For more information on tonight’s game, continue below.
EYE ON THE CATS
LAF IN FLA: Recalled from the AHL last week, Sam Lafferty will make his Panthers debut tonight. Signed to a one-year, two-way contract on July 1, the 31-year-old forward has produced 92 points (41G, 51A) in 378 career NHL games. In his first game with Florida, he’s expected to center the team’s fourth line between Boko Imama and Garnet Hathaway.
INJURY UPDATES: With captain Aleksander Barkov already out for 6-8 weeks with a lower-body injury, the Panthers announced on Friday that Brad Marchand will miss the next six weeks after suffering a lower-body injury during Thursday’s 2-1 win at Los Angeles. In Marchand’s absence, Lars Eller is now skating with Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart.
EK-DAD: After missing the last two games while welcoming the birth of his first child, Aaron Ekblad will return to the lineup for the Panthers. Since 2022-23, Ekblad is tied for first on the Panthers with nine points (3G, 6A) in seven games against the Wild. In two games so far this season, the 30-year-old veteran has tallied an assist while averaging 20:55 of ice time per contest.
MARKY MARK: Jacob Markstrom will man the crease for the Panthers tonight. Off to a hot start, the 36-year-old netminder has raced out to a 2-0-1 record behind on a stellar .927 save percentage. Per MoneyPuck.com, he’s already saved 3.1 goals above expected. In 16 career games against the Wild, Markstrom has gone 10-3-2 with a .925 save percentage.
FIVE KEY STATS
- Lars Eller has recorded a primary assist in three straight games.
- Brady Tkachuk ranks second on the Panthers with 17 hits.
- Jacob Markstrom has surrendered one or fewer goals in two of his three starts.
- Carter Verhaeghe has amassed a team-high +5 plus/minus rating.
- Since 2022-2023, Matthew Tkachuk has posted nine points (3G, 6A) in eight games vs. Minnesota.
THEY SAID IT
“Showed that we’re pretty comfortable in those low-scoring tight games. We have to be right now. Not producing a whole lot offensively, but doing an unbelievable job defensively. Each game has been super intense with every team that we’ve played.” – Matthew Tkachuk on Florida’s first four games of the season
“It’s 10 out of 10. I can’t wait. Being part of this team for the last little bit, it’s an amazing fanbase. I’m really looking forward to it, sharing that moment with everybody.” – Brady Tkachuk on preparing for his first home opener with the Panthers
“At home, when the puck hits the post, everybody goes nuts. You hit the post on the road, nobody cares. It’s just dead. You didn’t get anything. There’s no ‘We’re on them now!’ … It’ll be good to get some positive reinforcement.” – Paul Maurice on the benefits of having the crowd behind you
“Obviously, super excited. I just want to play a simple game and try to contribute. These guys, my line, has been effective. Just play a simple game and bring my speed. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.” – Sam Lafferty on making his debut with the Panthers
OPPOSITION OUTLOOK
- Kirill Kaprizov has been a thorn in Florida’s side ever since his rookie season in 2020-21. In 10 career games against the Panthers, the skilled Russian has recorded 17 points (6G, 11A), with 12 of those points coming on the power play. Last season, Kaprizov led the Wild in goals (45) and points (89).
- Brock Faber remains out for the Wild after undergoing successful surgery to repair a fractured skull that he sustained during the preseason. Last season, the 24-year-old defenseman set new career highs in goals (15) and points (51) in 80 games.
- Looking to build off an outstanding rookie season, Jesper Wallstedt is expected to man the crease for the Wild in Sunrise. Appearing in all four games for Minnesota this season, the 23-year-old goaltender has gone 2-1-1 with a .927 save percentage.
- Wild forward Nico Sturm appeared in 15 games during the 2024-25 season with Florida and skated in eight postseason games to help the Panthers win the 2025 Stanley Cup. Sturm is expected to play in his first game back in Florida tonight.
- The Wild has been lights out on its power play to start the season, cashing in on 38.5% of their opportunities. Blake Coleman leads the team in power-play points (3), while Kirill Kaprizov ranks first in power-play goals (2).
- Quinn Hughes has racked up a team-high six points (2G, 4A) for the Wild. Taking home the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman in 2024, the 26-year-old rearguard ranks third in the NHL with an average of 28 minutes of ice time per tilt.
PROJECTED ROSTER
Forwards
Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Sandis Vilmanis
Brady Tkachuk – Lars Eller – Sam Reinhart
Boko Imama – Sam Lafferty – Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones
Dmitry Kulikov – Radko Gudas
Goaltenders
Jacob Markstrom
Akira Schmid
