Photo credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Florida Panthers Carolina Hurricanes playoff intensity arrives early Tuesday with standings pressure rising.
The Panthers close out their schedule before the holiday break with a road matchup in Raleigh, facing a Hurricanes team that knows them well. Sitting at 19-14-2, Florida has gone 7-2-1 over its last 10 games, clawing back to within one point of a playoff spot in a crowded Eastern Conference race.
After grinding through seven games in 11 days, this is a night to empty the tank. Seth Jones said the Panthers understand how valuable these points are, especially with the division tightening. There's no room for drifting or pacing.
Just days ago in Sunrise, Florida pulled off a franchise first, erasing a 3-0 deficit with less than 10 minutes left to beat Carolina 4-3 in a shootout. The Panthers scored twice with their goalie pulled, a swing that still lingers on both benches.
Florida has eliminated Carolina twice in the past three postseasons, and while it's only December, both teams recognize what these matchups usually turn into. Paul Maurice put it simply, execution decides it.
Florida Panthers lean on stars and structure
Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin are both out with upper-body injuries, removing a major scoring threat and their top shutdown defenseman.
Florida isn't healthy either. Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk remain out, and Mackie Samoskevich will miss his second straight game. Still, the Panthers' core has carried them. Brad Marchand leads the team with 40 points, while Sam Reinhart sits at 19 goals and continues to drive the power play. Since December 1, Sam Bennett has quietly tied for the team lead with 13 points.
Sergei Bobrovsky gets the start, owning a 15-8-1 record this season and strong career numbers against Carolina. Across the ice, Frederik Andersen starts for the Hurricanes as part of a rotating crease.
Tactically, space will be scarce. Carolina thrives on pressure and layers, forcing Florida to work from its own zone out. Florida forecheck detail will be critical.
It's the last push before rest. One more grind before Christmas.
For the Panthers, it's a chance to bank points, reinforce belief, and head into the break with momentum fully intact.