In Carolina, two of the NHL’s best defenses square off.
RALEIGH, North Carolina — When the Florida Panthers play the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on Thursday to complete their two-game road trip, they will see yet another challenging opponent.
The Panthers and Hurricanes are two of the league’s most stingy teams; the former is allowing the fewest goals per game (2.35) while the latter is allowing the fifth fewest (2.68).
Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe said of the squad, “They play hard and are a really good team.” Every time we visit this place, we are aware of what to expect. I believe it just comes down to perseverance. We just need to realize [that] and stick to what works to win us the game that they are going to play.
The Panthers, who have won 18 of their previous 21 games, moved to 45-17-4 on Tuesday with a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Dallas, raising their NHL-leading point total to 94. They overcame a 3-0 hole by scoring four goals in a row, three of which came on the power play, and shockingly defeated the Stars 4-3.
The Panthers scored three goals in a just 3:29 to take the lead as they trailed 3-1 going into the third quarter following a power play goal by Sam Reinhart in the second. In the period, Aleksander Barkov scored twice and Sam Bennett assisted on the other goal.
Bennett, who sustained a knock during the victory, will not play against the Hurricanes. Furthermore, due to a lower-body injury, Evan Rodrigues will miss his second straight game. Everyday consideration is given to both athletes. Anton Lundell will anchor the team’s second line in Bennett’s absence.
Jonah Gadjovich will return to the starting lineup as well.
Reinhart is leading the Panthers with 77 points, including a career-high 46 goals. This is a season to remember. Tkachuk is second in scoring with 74 points (21 goals, 53 assists), having contributed 15 games with multiple assists this season. Verhaeghe and Barkov are tied for third place with 66 points apiece.
Sergei Bobrovsky, who had 27 saves in Dallas, including 12 high-danger stops, will be back in the goal against Carolina. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner, who is third in the NHL in victories (32), has an 18-3-1 record, a.926 save percentage, and two shutouts in his last 23 games.
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Panthers said of the player, “He’s just a pro all over – off the ice, on the ice.”
The Hurricanes, who are second in the Metropolitan Division with 39-20-6, have won five of their previous seven games. However, they will be aiming to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday when they play today.
The Hurricanes, shut out in their home arena, attempted to beat New York goalie Igor Shesterkin with 28 shots, but none of them were able to pass the former Vezina Trophy winner. Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 23 of 24 shots in Carolina’s cage, almost matching Shesterkin’s save total.
Adam Fox’s goal at 19:52 of the first period ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.
Jake Guentzel, who was acquired from the Penguins around the trade deadline and had been placed on LTIR since February 15, made his Hurricanes debut in the defeat, managing just one shot on goal in 15:12 of ice time.
This season, the forward who won the Stanley Cup in the past has scored 52 points in 51 games.
After his first game wearing a Hurricanes uniform, Guentzel told reporters, “I just felt all right.” “The game moves quickly. My new team has quick play. You must always ensure that you are moving at your maximum speed.
Sebastian Aho leads the Hurricanes in goals (25), assists (43) and points (68). Fueling the team’s ninth-ranked offense (3.31 goals per game), three other players in addition to Aho have also already hit the 20-goal mark this campaign: Teuvo Teravainen (21), Seth Jarvis (20) and Martin Necas (20).
That group doesn’t include Guentzel, who lit the lamp 22 times with Pittsburgh.
“I think it’s more of a puck-possession game that they’re playing now,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said of the Hurricanes. “They’re trying to beat you at the line. You’ve got some younger players, Necas and these guys, kind of coming of age, too, with their puck control and their speed.”
In Carolina’s net, it’ll either be Kochetkov or Frederik Andersen tonight.
After missing 49 games due to blood clotting issues, Andersen has backstopped the Hurricanes to wins in each of his two starts since returning to action while stopping 42 of 45 shots (.933%). As for Kochetkov, the 24-year-old goaltender has gone 17-12-3 with a .911 save percentage this season.
Facing off for the third and final time this season, the Panthers and Hurricanes, who could possibly meet again come playoff time, have split their two previous matchups. After the Panthers cruised to a 5-2 win in Sunrise back on Nov. 10, the Hurricanes responded with a 1-0 win in Raleigh on Feb. 22.
In that loss, the Panthers lost both Tkachuk and top-pair defenseman Gustav Forsling to injuries early.
Starting both games for Florida, Bobrovsky owns a .949 save percentage in the season series.
“I liked our game in here last time,” Maurice said. “I think we ended up putting 45 [shots] on them, but zero [goals]. Both goaltenders were very, very good. There was a break at the end of the game [for Carolina]. Forsling and Tkachuk had gone out early in that one. I was really happy with our game.”
QUOTES FOR PREGAME
He faces the best players on the opposing squad. Their fastest and most inventive players, if not their finest. Perhaps he goes unnoticed because of his ability to close the gap, swing in and kill plays, and produce opportunities for offensive plays that never reach the net. Paul Maurice on the Cats’ contributions from Gustav Forsling
The need to give nothing away to the rush is one of the main concerns. That was the case very immediately. We kind of get into our game as we start to execute our forecheck and a few fills. That is essentially our top focus. Regarding Florida’s defensive strategy, Carter Verhaeghe
We wish to resume playing our game in a sense. In my opinion, we started the Dallas game slowly. They somewhat retreated from us. Our goal is to start playing as soon as possible and control the action. Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the game’s importance tonight
FIVE CATS STATS
– Florida’s 24 road wins are tied for the most in franchise history.
– Since Jan. 22, the Panthers lead the NHL with a 38.2% success rate on the power play.
– Aleksander Barkov’s 31 career multi-goal games are tied for the most in franchise history.
– Gustav Forsling has recorded one goal and seven assists during his five-game point streak.
– Carter Verhaeghe has scored a team-leading 22 goals at even strength.
PROJECTED LINEUP (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Forwards
Vladimir Tarasenko – Aleksander Barkov – Sam Reinhart
Carter Verhaeghe – Anton Lundell – Matthew Tkachuk
Nick Cousins – Eetu Luostarinen – Kyle Okposo
Jonah Gadjovich – Kevin Stenlund – Ryan Lomberg
Defensemen
Gustav Forsling – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Niko Mikkola – Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura – Dmitry Kulikov
Goaltenders
Sergei Bobrovsky
Anthony Stolarz
RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
– March 8: F Kyle Okposo acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a 2024 conditional 7th round pick and D Calle Sjalin.
– March 8: G Magnus Hellberg acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for G Ludovic Waeber and a 2025 conditional 7th round pick.
– March 8: Claimed D Tobias Bjornfot off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights.
– March 7: D Gustav Forsling signed to an 8-year extension commencing in 2024-25.
– March 7: F Jonah Gadjovich signed to a 2-year extension commencing in 2024-25.
– March 6: F Vladimir Tarasenko acquired from the Ottawa Senators.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
When: Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC
TV & Streaming: Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports+
Radio: 560 WQAM (Dade/Broward); 92.1 WZZR (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH (Florida Keys); 101.7 WCZR (Treasure Coast); SiriusXM App & Streaming 932; Panthers App
