Florida Panthers Visit the Big Apple to Take on the Rangers

Tonight at 7 P.M. EST, the Florida Panthers will open a three-game road trip against the New York Rangers, at Madison Square Garden.

After this game, the Florida Panthers will stay in town to take on the New York Islanders tomorrow and the New Jersey Devils on Friday before returning home.

Florida has had a rough go of it in the early going, putting up a 1-2-3 record through their first six games despite posting one-goal games in every contest.

The Rangers are closing a two-game homestand. They dropped a 4-1 decision to the Calgary Flames on Sunday.

After this one, they’ll head out for a four-game Western Conference road trip, with matchups against the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks.

When Last We Met

SUNRISE, FL – APRIL 5: Goaltender Roberto Luongo #1 of the Florida Panthers defends the net against the Boston Bruins at the BB&T Center on April 5, 2018 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Roberto Luongo /

The last time the Panthers and the Rangers faced off was on March 10th last season. The 30-32-6 Rangers visited the charging 33-25-7 Panthers at BB&T Center and lost in a 4-3 shootout.

Jonathan Huberdeau (22) scored a goal with an assist, Vincent Trocheck dished out a pair of helpers, and Frank Vatrano (3) and Jamie McGinn (10) each also lit the lamp in the win. Roberto Luongo stopped 34-of-37 shots.

Aleksander Barkov and Trocheck each beat Henrik Lundqvist in the shootout for the extra point. Jared McCann, Alex Petrovic, and Keith Yandle each also pitched in with an assist each. It was Florida’s eighth straight win on home ice.

“We wanted to make sure we establish that culture and identity of being a tough place to play in. We’ve certainly done that as of late.” Bob Boughner, as quoted by Alain Poupart on NHL.com.

In Florida’s last game, the Panthers ceded the Detroit Red Wings their first win of the season, 4-3 in overtime on Saturday.

Keith Yandle (1) and Nick Bjugstad (2) each had a goal and an assist, while Barkov had a pair of helpers.

Mike Hoffman (2) also split the pipes, and Evgeni Dadonov added his fourth assist of the season. Florida netminder Michael Hutchinson stopped 27-of-31 shots for the loss.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 19: Nick Bjugstad #27 of the Florida Panthers in action against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Capital One Arena on October 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

“If we played three good periods, we match up against anyone. We have to figure that out.” – Bjugstad, as quoted by Alain Poupart on NHL.com.

New York’s last game was a 4-1 loss to the Flames at home, with 17,404 in attendance at MSG on Sunday. Mika Zibanejad (3), assisted by Neal Pionk and Mats Zuccarello provided the only Rangers marker of the contest. Lundqvist turned aside 22-of-26 for the loss.

“We’ve got to find ways to take advantage of our chances, and we just haven’t done that. That’s not just tonight. Throughout the season, we just haven’t been able to be opportunistic.” – Rangers coach David Quinn, as quoted by Dan Rosen on NHL.com.

All-Time Series

Florida has a .468 points percentage against the Rangers all-time, their 21st best points percentage against the 30 other teams in the National Hockey League. The Panthers have a 37-43-6-9 mark.

This Day in History

The Panthers own a 3-3-1-1 record on October 23rd through their history, most recently a 4-3 victory over the New York Islanders in 2010.

In that game, Mike Weaver had a goal and an assist, Keaton Ellerby had a pair of helpers, and the trio of Steve Bernier, David Booth, and Radek Dvorak each also beat Isles netminder Rick DiPietro. Tomas Vokoun stopped 30-of-33 for the W.

UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 02: Mike Weaver #43 of the Florida Panthers skates against the New York Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 2, 2014 in Uniondale, New York. The Panthers defeated the Islanders 5-3. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Common Thread

Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle played in 103 contests for the Rangers from 2015 through 2016, with seven goals and 51 assists.

COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 4: Keith Yandle #93 of the New York Rangers controls the puck during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 4, 2016 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Standings

Florida Panthers: 1-2-3, five points, on pace for 68 points, .433 points percentage, last five: L-L-O-W-O, seventh in the Atlantic Division, 14th in the Eastern Conference, 27th in the NHL. Playoff Percentage: 32.3%

New York Rangers: 2-5-1, five points, on pace for 51 points, .313 points percentage, last five: W-L-W-O-L, eighth in the Metropolitan Division, 15th in the Eastern Conference, 29th in the NHL. Playoff Percentage: 25.2%

Starting Lineup

63–16–27
11–21–62
72–90–68
22–91–7

19–5
3–6
55–52

39 (confirmed)

Injury Report

Luongo is on the injured reserve with a Grade 1 MCL sprain and is expected to be back in two-to-four weeks.

Derek MacKenzie has missed the last five games with an upper-body injury, and his return date isn’t known.

Mark Pysyk is likely being held out with an upper-body injury.

Milestones

Goals: Dadonov’s next goal will be his 42nd with the Panthers, as he will move into a tie with Gord Murphy in 35th on the all-time leaderboard.

Aaron Ekblad‘s next marker will be his 54th, which will move him into a three-way tie for 21st on the all-time list with Tom Fitzgerald and Tomas Fleischmann.

Huberdeau will move into sole possession of 10th on the leaderboard with his next goal, #98, breaking a tie with Ray Whitney.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 19: Jonathan Huberdeau #11 of the Florida Panthers celebrates after scoring the game winning goal during a shootout against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on October 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. The Panthers defeated the Capitals 6-5. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Assists: Dadonov’s next assist will be his 52nd with Florida, which will tie Mike Hough in 48th. Ekblad’s next helper will give him 82, moving him out of a tie with Jaromir Jagr in 24th all-time.

Yandle’s next will be his 91st, tying him with Fleischmann in 21st. Bjugstad’s next will be his 99th, which will tie him in 17th with Pavel Bure.

Barkov’s next will give him 154, giving him one more than 10th place Nathan Horton and one less than eighth place Dvorak.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 16: Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers looks on against the Phiadelphia Flyers on October 16, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Points: Yandle’s next point will give him 105, tying Mike Van Ryn in 37th all-time.

Wins: James Reimer’s next win will be his 41st as a Florida Panther, moving him past Scott Clemmensen into sole possession of fifth on the all-time list.

Stat Leaders

Goals: Dadonov – 3, Trocheck, Barkov, Huberdeau, Hoffman, Bjugstad, Vatrano – 2

Assists: Yandle – 6, Trocheck – 5, Dadonov, Barkov – 4

Points: Yandle, Trocheck, Dadonov – 7

Plus/Minus: Dadonov, Bjugstad +5, Barkov +4

Hits: Petrovic – 18, Trocheck – 16, Troy Brouwer – 13

Blocked Shots: Petrovic – 10, Yandle – 8, MacKenzie Weegar – 7

Faceoffs: McCann – 53.0%, Trocheck – 51.8%, Barkov – 50.0%, Juho Lammikko – 48.5%

Panthers Fall at Home to the Wings. dark. Next

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