Dating back to Feb. 17, the top-line trio of Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Evgenii Dadonov have combined for 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists) in 16 games. In that span, Barkov (30 points) and Huberdeau (26) rank first and second, respectively, in scoring in the entire NHL.
This offensive explosion has also lifted both Barkov and Huberdeau to already historic seasons.
Leading the team with a career-high 83 points (30 goals, 53 assists), Barkov needs to pick up just six more points to tie Olli Jokinen for the fourth-most points in a season by a Panther. If he stays this hot, however, Pavel Bure’s franchise-record total of 94 could be very much in reach.
As for Huberdeau, who sits right behind Barkov with a career-high 78 points, the 25-year-old winger has already set a new franchise record for most assists in a single season with 55. If he can get two more points, it’ll be the first time Florida has had two 80-point players in a season.
With just 10 games left on the schedule – five at home and five on the road — both players will look to stay hot as the Panthers will close out a four-game road trip in Dallas on Tuesday before returning to Sunrise to host Arizona on Thursday and Boston on Saturday at BB&T Center.
Florida, which owns a 9-4-4 record over its last 17 games, sits at 32-28-12 on the season.
Here’s everything you need to know for the week ahead…
THE GAMES
Tuesday: at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m.
The Panthers will close out their four-game road trip against the Stars (37-29-6) on Tuesday at American Airlines Center. Dallas has lost each of its last two contests, including a 3-2 shootout loss to Vancouver on Sunday. Prior to that minor losing streak, the Stars had won six of seven games and currently hold the top wild card spot in the Western Conference. Tyler Seguin leads the team in goals (27) and points (65), while goalie Ben Bishop’s .933 save percentage ranks first among NHL regulars. For the Panthers, it’s a safe bet that Aleksander Barkov will make his way onto the scoresheet in this one, as the 23-year-old center has tallied at least one point in 15 of the last 16 games, posting a league-leading 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in that span.
TV: FSF
Radio: TBD
Thursday: Arizona Coyotes, 7:00 p.m.
The Panthers will kick off a brief two-game homestand against the Coyotes (36-30-6) at BB&T Center on Thursday. Arizona, which owns the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, has won four of its last six games, but enters the week on the heels of 3-2 overtime loss against Edmonton on Saturday. The driving force behind the Coyotes’ resurgence has been the play of goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who has posted an 11-2-1 record with a .942 save percentage and two shutouts over his last 14 appearances. On offense, Alex Galchenyuk leads the team with 17 goals, while Clayton Keller has the most points (45). For the Panthers, look for Aaron Ekblad to provide a noticeable spark from the blue line in this contest, as the 23-year-old defenseman has been heating up as of late, accumulating three goals and six assists over his last 12 games.
TV: FSF
Radio: TBD
In-Arena Activations: 50-50 Raffle, $5 Beer Thursday, Student Rush Networking Event, Clothing Drive
Tickets: HERE
Saturday: Boston Bruins, 7:00 p.m.
The Panthers will likely have revenge on their mind when they wrap up their homestand against the Bruins (43-20-9) at BB&T Center on Saturday. The last time these teams met, Florida saw a win quickly turn into a loss, as Boston scored twice in the final minute to secure a 4-3 victory on March 7. Since then, however, the Bruins have struggled a little bit, losing three of their last five games while being outscored 18-14 in that span. Brad Marchand leads the team in scoring with 87 points, including seven goals and nine assists in his last 10 games. For the Panthers, look for Mike Hoffman to find a way to light the lamp in this one, as the 29-year-old winger has found the back of the net seven times in the last 12 games to push his team-leading goal total to 33.
TV: FSF
Radio: TBD
In-Arena Activations: 50-50 Raffle, Panther Conservation Night, Galbani Italian Fest on JetBlue Tarmac, Panthers Palooza
Tickets: HERE
MILESTONE WATCH
– Keith Yandle is six goals away from his 100th NHL goal.
– Keith Yandle is three games away from his 900th NHL game.
– Vincent Trocheck is two goals away from his 100th NHL goal.
– Mike Hoffman is six points away from his 300th NHL point.
PANTHERS PALOOZA
#PanthersPalooza is back!
Initially created as way to bring together fans from across various social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, Panthers Palooza is incredibly now in its fifth season and will return to BB&T Center on Saturday, March 23 prior to Florida’s matchup against the Boston Bruins.
The pre-game event will run from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., giving those in attendance a chance to connect and chat Panthers hockey with fellow fans while enjoying outdoor games, beer, wine, snacks and more.
If you are a season ticket holder, the event package can be added on to your current tickets by clicking HERE.
If you are not a season ticket holder, however, you can purchase your Panthers Palooza tickets HERE.
A portion of the proceeds from each Panthers Palooza ticket will benefit panther conservation.
We look forward to seeing you there!
CONSERVATION NIGHT
Florida’s state animal since 1987, the Florida panther is currently one of the most endangered mammals in the entire world, with only an estimated 180 to 200 left living in the wild as of 2017.
So, in an effort to help an animal that the organization’s has long considered to be much more than a mascot, the Panthers will be hosting their fourth-annual Panther Conservation Night on Saturday, March 23, when the Boston Bruins visit BB&T Center for a 7 p.m. puck drop.
“Raising awareness for and supporting our organization’s namesake is something that’s really important to us,” said Lauren Simone, Executive Director of the Florida Panthers Foundation. “We’re excited to continue the tradition of this night and find ways to incorporate panther conservation year-long into our outreach efforts and lifestyles.”
The Panthers will host several partners at the event, with each organization in attendance helping answer questions and providing ways that fans can support and save the panther.
These organizations include:
• Florida Wild-Path of the Panther
• Zoo Miami • Palm Beach Zoo
• FIU
• Florida Wildlife Federation
• Museum of Discovery and Science
A portion of all tickets purchased through THIS LINK will support conservation efforts.
SEAT PREVIEW
Want to be the first to lock in your seats for the 2019-20 season?
The Panthers are offering fans the unique chance to test drive their seats before they buy during a special seat preview event on Tuesday, March 19 at BB&T Center from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
For more information, follow the link in the tweet below and RSVP HERE.
CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK
What goes on behind the scenes on team picture day? We decided to find out.
Video: 2018-19 Florida Panthers Team Picture Day
CATS IN THE COMMUNITY
COLD COFFEE (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)
— From Hey Arnold! to Pokémon, head back to the ’90s with Jamie McGinn.
— Denis Malgin is on the mend.
— Panthers rookie goaltender Sam Montembeault is already making waves in the NHL.
— Mark your calendars: ROAR Corps auditions are coming up this summer!
— Jonathan Huberdeau was named the NHL’s “First Star of the Week” on March 11.
— In the latest episode of Territory Talk, Panthers winger Frank Vatrano sat down with Doug and Jameson to discuss everything from his love of sneakers to the appeal of pineapple pizza.
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