FORT LAUDERDALE – The final push starts now.
Owning a 29-25-3 record, the Florida Panthers (61 points) sit eight points behind the Boston Bruins (69 points) for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
With just 25 games left, every game counts.
“We're in a way tighter race than we were last year at this time,” head coach Paul Maurice said following the team’s practice at Baptist Health IcePlex on Saturday.
Coming out of break, the Panthers will have a chance to make up ground.
Hosting two divisional opponents, both of which are also jockeying for position in the playoff race, the Panthers will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena before hosting the Buffalo Sabres 24 hours later on Friday.
To see what’s going on around the Territory this week and beyond, continue below.
THE GAMES
Thursday, Feb. 26: vs. Toronto Maple Leafs – 7 p.m. ET
- TV & Streaming: WSFL, WHDT, WFTX, PanthersPlus.TV
- Radio: 560 WQAM-AM (Dade/Broward); 106.3 WESP-FM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 101.7 WCZR (Treasure Coast); Panthers GameDay App; SiriusXM NHL Network Radio Channel 91/SiriusXM App & Streaming 931
- Tickets: Click Here
Friday, Feb. 27: vs. Buffalo Sabres – 7 p.m. ET
- TV & Streaming: WSFL, WHDT, WFTX, PanthersPlus.TV
- Radio: 104.3 WQAM-FM/560 WQAM-AM (Dade/Broward); 106.3 WESP-Fm (Palm Beach); 100.3 Wcth (Florida Keys); 101.7 WCZR (Treasure Coast); Panthers GameDay App; SiriusXM 219/App & Streaming 931
- Tickets: Click Here
BRINGING HOME HARDWARE
Seven Panthers flew home with a little extra weight in their suitcase from the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
With t 2-1 win over Canada on Sunday, Matthew Tkachuk and the United States took home the gold medal, while Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Sam Reinhart earned the silver with Canada.
“That was really cool, especially being here with everyone watching the game,” Mackie Samoskevich said of watching the gold medal game ahead of the team’s practice on Sunday. “Rooting on the boys over there, it was a lot of fun for sure.”
Beating Slovakia 6-1 on Saturday, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen,and Niko Mikkola finished with a bronze medal for Finland.
Off the ice, President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Bill Zito and Head Equipment Manager Teddy Richards served on USA’s staff, and Assistant Coach Tuomo Ruutu worked on Finland’s coaching staff.
For more information, click here.
INJURY UPDATES
The Panthers could be getting some players back in the lineup as they make a push for the playoffs.
During Saturday’s practice, defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and forwards Jonah Gadjovich and Tomas Nosek skated with the main group in yellow non-contact jerseys.
“It’s good to see them progressing in their rehab,” said Evan Rodrigues. “It’s getting two big parts of our team back. Hopefully we’ll see them in some game action in the near future.”
A big part of the Panthers penalty kill and fourth line during the Stanley Cup run, Nosek has yet to take the ice this season after sustaining a lower-body injury in the offseason.
Both sustaining upper-body injuries in the first month of the season, Kulikov recorded 13 points (4G, 9A) and a +12 plus/minus rating last season, while Gadjovich notched three points (3A), 30 hits and a +2 plus-minus rating prior to his injury this season.
For more on injury updates, click here.
LEARN TO PLAY HOCKEY, SKATE & CURL
Have you ever wanted to learn how to play hockey, skate, or curl?
Now you can!
Learn to skate, play hockey, curl and more at Baptist Health IcePlex and Florida Panthers IceDen.
Open to all ages and skill level!
For more information, click here.
AVIS SWEEPSTAKES
Don’t miss out on your chance to win the ultimate Panthers prize!
Enter your Avis Preferred number for a chance to win 1 of 3 prizes: a Tkachuk USA jersey, 7 free Avis rental days or a PS5 with NHL '26.
Sweepstakes runs until March 16, 2026.
To enter, click here.
GROUP TICKET PACKAGES
Get tickets for the whole group!
Check out some of the upcoming group nights at Amerant Bank Arena:
- Women's Empowerment Ticket Package
- Military Appreciation Ticket Package
- Teacher Appreciation Ticket Package
To see all group ticket packages, click here.
SECURE SINGLE GAME TICKETS
Only 10 home games left!
Don’t miss out on any of the remaining regular season games at Amerant Bank Arena, as the Panthers push for the playoffs.
To buy tickets, click here.
STREAM PANTHERS HOCKEY
On your couch or on the go, never miss a moment!
Available now, fans can subscribe to the Half Season Pass for just $39.99.
Subscribe now to receive access to all locally-produced Panthers games by Scripps Sports this season, and pregame coverage for all nationally broadcast games on iOS, Android and other platforms.
Additional content includes replays, interviews, video series and more.
Visit PanthersPlus.Tv for more info.
GAMEDAY APP
Have all you need to know with the Panthers GameDay App!
Right now, all non-Territory Members can utilize a 5% off food and beverage discount when using the app during games and events at Amerant Bank Arena.
The app also includes special partner offers, articles, videos, box scores and more.
To download the Panthers GameDay App, click here.
CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK
Ride along with Sam Bennett in the latest BMW Teammate of the Month!
