Florida Panthers: 2017-18 dream schedule part 1

 We’ve all dreamed of being able to make our favorite team’s schedule. In this series, I will create a Florida Panthers dream schedule. This will be part 1.

The NHL Schedule Format is a complicated thing to understand/grasp. Thankfully the Panthers are in the Eastern Conference, which makes things a lot easier. Here is the Schedule format:

The Panthers play 4 games against each of their seven divisional opponents (4 x 7 = 28 games).

The Panthers play 3 games against each of the eight Metropolitan division teams (3 x 8 = 24) and (28 + 24 = 52).

The Panthers play 2 games against each western conference opponent. There are 15 teams in the west. (2 X 15 = 30) and (52 + 30 =82).

We also have to take into account the home ice advantage with the Metropolitan division. Since the teams play three games against each other, the teams play 2 games in one venue and one in another. In 2016-17, the Panthers played 2 home games against the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes.

Therefore, the Panthers will visit The Prudential Center (NJ); Barclay’s Center (NYI); Nationwide Arena (CBJ) and PNC Arena (CAR) twice in 2018. This means that the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and  Philadelphia Flyers fly into Sunrise twice to play next season. Without further ado, here are my first 20 games. (NOTE: THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL SCHEDULE. THIS IS JUST a dream (mock) schedule)

Game      Date                Opponent
1         Thursday Oct 5      @ Tampa Bay Lightning
2         Saturday Oct 7      vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
3         Monday Oct 9        vs. Boston Bruins
4         Thursday Oct 12     @ Philadelphia Flyers
5         Saturday Oct 14     @ Pittsburgh Penguins
6         Sunday Oct 15       @ New Jersey Devils
7         Tuesday Oct 17      vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
8         Thursday Oct 19     vs. Minnesota Wild
9         Saturday Oct 21     vs. Vegas Golden Knights
10        Monday Oct 23       @ New York Islanders
11        Tuesday Oct 24      @ New York Rangers
12        Thursday Oct 26     @ Boston Bruins
13        Saturday Oct 28     @ Montreal Canadiens
14        Tuesday Oct 31      vs. Philadelphia Flyers
15        Thursday Nov 2      vs. Washington Capitals
16        Fri Nov 3           @ Dallas Stars
17        Sun Nov 5           @ Arizona Coyotes
18        Wed Nov 8           @ Vegas Golden Knights
19        Fri Nov 10          @ Detroit Red Wings
20        Sat Nov 11          vs. Detroit Red Wings

Now let’s assume by some miracle my schedule is right perfectly. Here are some statistical breakdowns:

Games against the East: 15 (9 Away  6 Home)

Atlantic: 8 (4 Away 4 Home)

Metro: 7 (5 Away 2 Home)

Games against the West: 5 (3 Away 2 Home)

Central: 2 (1 Away  1 Home)

Pacific: 3  (2 Away 1 Home)

*Total: 20 Games (12 Away and 8 Home)

Next: Florida Panthers: Bob Boughner's approach to analytics may be needed

I have a home in home series against Tampa to start the year off. It would be both interesting and exciting. The Panthers would play several tough opponents early on. I set it up this way so we aren’t facing tough opponents down the stretch.

It is highly unlikely things turn out this way but hey, we can all dream (including myself). The Cats also visit the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas and the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. I put those two specifically as it would allow for two interesting games (venue atmosphere as well). Stay tune for games 21-41 (part 2).