Panthers Gear Up for Playoff Push Against Kraken

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers resume their season with renewed energy as they welcome the Seattle Kraken to Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET, following a break after the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Panthers, who boast a record of 34-20-3, are focused on their final 25-game stretch into the playoffs.

The Panthers’ last game was a decisive 5-1 victory against the Ottawa Senators on February 8. They currently hold the top position in the Atlantic Division with 71 points, narrowly ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I’m ready, I’m happy, I’m excited,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov expressed after practice on Friday. “Good to be back and good to see the guys again on the ice. I can’t wait to get going.”

With eight players representing the Panthers at the 4 Nations Face-Off, including goal-scorers Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, the team is strategizing for a tough matchup against the Kraken. Bennett and Reinhart were instrumental in Canada’s thrilling 3-2 overtime win against the United States, marking a high note for the players returning to their NHL duties.

Evan Rodrigues highlighted the upcoming competitive nature of the games: “You’re going to see a lot of playoff-style hockey. That’s the type of style we like to play, and that’s what you need going into playoffs.”

Florida looks to avenge an earlier season matchup against Seattle, having won 2-1 in a shootout on December 10. The Panthers have gone 7-3-0 in their last ten games and aim to maintain that momentum, although they may be without key player Matthew Tkachuk due to injury.

“Give him day to day, and then I’ll give you a pretty good update in the next couple of days,” head coach Paul Maurice said regarding Tkachuk’s status. Meanwhile, Mackie Samoskevich is expected to play on the second line alongside Bennett and Rodrigues after recovering from injury.

In goal, Sergei Bobrovsky is anticipated to start, carrying impressive stats of a .938 save percentage and a 1.61 goals-against average in his last five appearances. The Kraken, contrastingly, are seeking to climb out of the Pacific Division’s seventh place with a current record of 24-29-4.

Seattle is keen on showcasing its skills, especially with players like Jared McCann, who leads the team in points, and Brandon Montour, a former Panther defenseman now giving leadership from the back end. “It’s not going to be perfect right off the bat,” Rodrigues noted on adjusting back to competitive play, but the Panthers are determined to find their rhythm before the playoffs.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun these next couple of weeks,” Carter Verhaeghe added, reflecting the excitement around the upcoming games.

The match will not only be a competitive clash but also a reunion for former Panthers players now on the Kraken roster. Fans can expect an intense evening of hockey as the Panthers aim to continue their strong season and secure their playoff position.

Fans can catch the game live on Panthers+, WSFL-TV, and several other broadcasting channels. Tickets are still available for a thrilling night of NHL action.