The Florida Panthers are set to host the Carolina Hurricanes at Amerant Bank Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Currently, the Panthers are riding high on a successful streak, having won six out of their last seven games. With a record of 18-13-2, a victory against the Hurricanes would place them back in a playoff position.
Current Momentum for the Panthers
Forward Mackie Samoskevich expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “It feels really good. We work so hard, so when you get the results, it definitely feels a lot better.” The Panthers recently secured a 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings, marking their third consecutive victory. During this period, they have scored 12 goals while conceding no more than two goals in each game.
Key Players Contributing to Success
- Carter Verhaeghe leads the team with 7 goals and 11 points in December.
- Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand follow closely with 10 points each.
- Sam Reinhart has added 9 points, while Anton Lundell contributed 8 points.
- Eetu Luostarinen is set to play his 400th NHL game and has recorded 13 points this season.
Head Coach Paul Maurice praised Luostarinen, noting his adherence to the team’s playing style and significant role. Since Luostarinen’s return from injury, the Panthers have a record of 6-1-0.
Hurricanes Looking to Extend Winning Streak
The Carolina Hurricanes, leading the Metropolitan Division with a record of 22-9-2, are also in pursuit of victory. They have won their last five games, three of which were determined by shootouts. Star player Sebastian Aho scored twice in a recent win against the Nashville Predators.
Top Performers for the Hurricanes
- Aho leads the team with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists).
- Seth Jarvis ranks second with 27 points, including a team-high of 19 goals.
- Nikolaj Ehlers, a recent free agent addition, has contributed 23 points.
- Goaltender Brandon Bussi has achieved an impressive 11-1-0 record, the best start for a goalie in NHL history.
As the Panthers and Hurricanes prepare for their first meeting of the season, both teams are aware of the stakes. The Panthers have historically performed well against Carolina, winning two of their last three regular-season matchups. This matchup will undoubtedly be competitive, given the playoff implications and the respective winning streaks.
Viewing Information
Fans can catch the action on various platforms:
- When: Friday, December 19 at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
- TV & Streaming: WSFL, WHDT, WFTX, PanthersPlus.TV
- Radio: 560 WQAM-AM, 106.3 WESP-FM, 100.3 WCTH, 101.7 WCZR, Panthers GameDay App
With both teams eager to extend their winning streaks, fans can expect an exciting game filled with high stakes and intense competition.
