SUNRISE, Fla. – One more before it counts.
Closing out the preseason, the Florida Panthers will host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena at 6 p.m. ET.
“You're just getting to know a player a little bit better,” head coach Paul Maurice said during his availability at Baptist Health Iceplex prior to Saturday’s tilt. “Not everybody starts the team with us. We've got some really interesting depth right now.”
Expected to roll out much of the same lineup against the Lightning again, the Panthers own a 2-0-1 preseason record following Thursday’s win in Tampa Bay.
For more information on tonight’s game, continue below.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Sawchyn’s preseason debut: Gracyn Sawchyn will make his preseason debut on Saturday. The Panthers 2023 second round (63rd overall) pick recorded 23 points (6G, 17A) in 35 games in his first season with the Charlotte Checkers last year.
Between the pipes: The team will get another look at first year Panther Akira Schmid. His second time in net this preseason, Schmid stopped 12 of 13 shots against the Carolina Hurricanes in Tuesday’s shootout loss. Cooper Black could also get another look. The 6-foot-8 goalie made 14 saves in the 5-3 win over the Lightning on Thursday.
Devine back in lineup: Jack Devine is expected to be back in the lineup after playing in the preseason opener against the Hurricanes. With 11:03 time on ice, the 22-year-old forward recorded an assist and a +1 plus/minus rating in the 6-3 win.
Hovorka's range: The 6-foot-6 blueliner won't be hard to miss on the ice. Recording an assist in his preseason debut against the Lightning on Thursday, the Czech defenseman registered 18 points (5G, 13A) and a +23 plus/minus rating in 57 regular season games in Charlotte last season.
FIVE KEY STATS
1. Panthers had five different goal scorers in Thursday’s win against the Lightning.
2. Cole Reinhardt has four points (3G, 1A) in three games this preseason.
3. Garnet Hathaway recorded three hits in his preseason debut against the Lightning.
4. Kai Schwindt and Sandis Vilmanis each have a goal and an assist this preseason.
5. Alexander Petrovic and Donovan Sebrango owned a +3 plus/minus rating in the win over the Lightning.
THEY SAID IT
“We do something for Charlotte, and Charlotte does something for us. We try to set them on a framework and a path that when they go down, it's really clear what we want.” – Paul Maurice on aligning style of play between the Florida Panthers and Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
“I think it's just the whole concept in this organization is to be better every day. You see all the guys, Barkov, Ekblad, all those guys are pushing with whatever they have. So why would you not? I think it's just what's built within this organization. Everybody wants to be part of it.” – Mikulas Hovorka on training camp and organization
“I just want to show a good game for our offense. It’s a good opportunity.” – Matvei Shuravin on showcasing game
OPPOSITION NOTES
- The Lightning will be going with a young lineup for the final game of the preseason. Amongst the veterans expected to play include Zemgus Girgensons (844 NHL games), Pontus Holmberg (229 NHL games), Gage Goncalves (136 NHL games).
- Conor Geekie has two goals in three preseason games.
- In net, the Lightning will either go with Mads Sogaard or Dennis Hildeby. Sogaard has yet to play this preseason, and was predominantly with the Belleville Senators last season, appearing in 27 games. Hildeby stopped 23 of 26 shots in the overtime preseason loss to the Nashville Predators on Sept. 22.
PROJECTED ROSTER
Forwards: Nate Bastian, Bokondji Imama, John Beecher, Sam Lafferty, Garnet Hathaway, Cole Reinhardt, Jack Devine, Gracyn Sawchyn, Cole Schwindt, Hunter St. Martin, Sandis Vilmanis, Kai Schwindt
Defensemen: Uvis Balinskis, Alexander Petrovic, Marek Alscher, Donovan Sebrango, Matvei Shuravin, Mikulas Hovorka
Goaltenders: Akira Schmid, Cooper Black
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Amerant Bank Arena – Sunrise, FL
TV & Streaming: WSFL, WHDT, WFTX, PanthersPlus.TV
Radio: 104.3 WQAM HD-2 (Dade/Broward), 101.7 WCZR-FM (Treasure Coast)
EXTRA INFO
- Fans within the Panthers’ broadcast territory can stream tonight’s game for free by making an account at PanthersPlus.tv.
- There will be a combined 50/50 Raffle for both of Florida’s home preseason games. The winner will be selected on Sept. 26. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
- Get score updates with the Panthers GameDay App!
