Panthers Face Ducks in Crucial NHL Showdown After Disappointing Loss

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers (26-17-3) will host the Anaheim Ducks (18-21-6) at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday night, aiming to rebound from a recent 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The Panthers, struggling with a 4-6-1 record over their last 11 games, are looking to regain momentum as they face their 1993 expansion cousins.

Thursday night’s defeat saw Florida’s penalty kill falter, allowing Detroit to capitalize on multiple power-play opportunities. Anton Lundell and Evan Rodrigues scored for the Panthers, but their offense couldn’t keep pace with the Red Wings’ relentless attack. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was pulled after giving up a late second-period goal to Marco Kasper, marking his third consecutive loss.

The Ducks, meanwhile, are wrapping up a grueling six-game road trip. Anaheim has lost five of its last six games, with a 3-2 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday being the lone bright spot. Despite a strong effort in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, the Ducks have struggled to find consistency. Troy Terry, who leads the team with 15 goals, 19 assists, and 34 points, will be a key player to watch.

Historically, matchups between the Panthers and Ducks have been high-scoring affairs, with seven or more goals scored in three of their last four meetings. The last four games between the two teams have also been decided in overtime, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Saturday’s contest.

Florida’s offense, which has sputtered in recent weeks, will need to step up against an Anaheim team that has shown flashes of resilience. The Panthers are 5-3 this season as favorites of -200 or higher, while the Ducks are 4-4 in their last eight games as underdogs of +200 or more.

Goaltending decisions could play a pivotal role in the outcome. If Florida opts to start Spencer Knight, Ryan Strome, who has two goals in three games against Knight, could be a player to watch. FanDuel lists Strome’s anytime goal odds at +500, offering a tempting value bet for hockey enthusiasts.

As both teams look to turn their seasons around, Saturday’s game promises to be a critical test for the Panthers and Ducks alike.