Colorado Avalanche Head to Florida for Clash Against Panthers After Consecutive Wins

The Colorado Avalanche, coming off two consecutive road victories, are set to face the Florida Panthers on Saturday at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. This match marks the first of two encounters between these teams in the 2024-2025 NHL season, with the second scheduled to occur in Denver on January 6.

In their latest outing, the Avalanche secured a 2-1 victory against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on Thursday. Mikko Rantanen and Miles Wood scored for Colorado, while goaltender Alexandar Georgiev was instrumental with 28 saves, earning the No. 1 star of the game. The win was notable as it was the Avalanche’s fifth of the season when trailing first, placing them among the leaders in such comebacks. «We gave up some high-danger chances. And [Georgiev] made some big saves on those. So he was my No. 1 star tonight for sure,» said Rantanen regarding Georgiev’s performance.

Nathan MacKinnon is currently leading the league in assists with 27 and is tied for first in points at 34, demonstrating his continued excellence on the ice. Cale Makar also stands out among all NHL defensemen with 8 goals, 20 assists, and 28 points this season. Meanwhile, Mikko Rantanen’s performance places him fourth in goals and seventh in points, further highlighting the team’s offensive strength.

The Florida Panthers, who were defeated 3-1 by the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday, are looking to rebound on home ice. Forward Sam Reinhart is leading the team with 15 goals and 30 points, making him a crucial player to watch. After a performance where Spencer Knight, the Panthers’ goaltender, allowed 2 goals on 19 shots, Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to return to the net. Bobrovsky has been struggling with a 2.98 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage this season, contrasting with his more successful past performances.

Historically, the Avalanche have a favorable record against the Panthers, boasting a 23-12-7 record in 42 regular-season matchups. They also famously swept Florida in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final to claim their first championship.

For those interested in viewing the game, it will be broadcast on Altitude, Altitude+, and ESPN+ for out-of-market viewers. Radio coverage will be available on Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM. The Colorado Avalanche will be aiming for a third consecutive win to maintain their perfect run on the road trip, while the Panthers will strive to halt their two-game losing streak.