Good afternoon!

Here with a late/quick blog ahead of today’s tilt with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

I’m excited for this game because the Panthers are currently really heating up, especially after their big 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

As NHL.com reports:

“Winning each of their last eight games on the road (a franchise record), the Panthers are tied for first in the NHL in road wins (17) while also allowing a league-best 2.23 goals per game.”

Adding:

“Entering tonight’s tilt just four points behind the Boston Bruins for first in the Atlantic Division with a game in hand, the Panthers closed out their homestand by shutting down the NHL’s top offense in a 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Barkov led the Panthers with three points (one goal, two assists) in the win, while Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen also lit the lamp. Between the pipes, Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside all 35 shots that he faced to record the 41st shutout of his career.

Sitting at 33-15-4 in the standings, the Panthers have gone 15-3-2 since Dec. 23.

career, Reinhart has been on an epic roll on the road in recent weeks. Finding the back of the net in each of his last nine games on the road – including seven straight on the power play – he’s just two off the NHL record.

On a tear in 2024, Matthew Tkachuk leads the NHL with 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) since Jan. 1. In that stellar span, the 26-year-old winger has made a dent on the scoresheet in 14 of 16 games, including posting multiple points on eight separate occasions.

Fresh off being named the league’s Second Star of the Week on Monday, Bobrovsky, who ranks third in the HL with 25 wins this season, will get the nod in net against the Penguins.

In two starts against Pittsburgh this season, he’s gone 2-0-0 with a .952 save percentage.

- Aleksander Barkov ranks second in the NHL in road assists (25).

- Sergei Bobrovsky has won each of his last six starts on the road.

- Carter Verhaeghe has scored team-high 18 goals at even strength.

- The Panthers rank first in the NHL in shots per game (34.3).

- The Panthers have earned at least a point in five of their last six games vs. Pittsburgh.”

It’s hard to read the above and not be pumped as a Panthers fan.

The Penguins have had a very tough year. Currently sitting in 7th of the Metropolitan Division with a 23-19-7 record, injuries and general poor play have plagued them this year.

However, I always say it, they still have some serious talent in that lineup and should not be taken lightly.

Crosby leads the team with 28 goals and a total of 52 points. Jack Guentzel is a very close second with 51 points.

With the Pens in danger of being swept in this season series, I’m expecting a hard fought game with a dash of chippyness…
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Go Panthers!

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