Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk chase 700 in Boston

Sam Reinhart is three points from 700 as the Panthers visit the Bruins today, and Matthew Tkachuk is right behind him.

Reinhart sits at 697 career points in 856 games. The mark could fall as early as today, which makes this a friendly race to 700 inside Florida's top group.

He enters on a strong run. Reinhart has 9 goals and 8 assists in 17 games this season, and 6 of those goals have come on the power play, the most on the team. We also looked at Paul Maurice explaining Reinhart's hot streak earlier this month.

Saturday night in Washington, Reinhart added an assist in the 4-3 loss. He logged 24:45, took 2 penalty minutes and finished a -2, a night that hurt more than the point helped.

Tkachuk is right there with him. He has 695 career points, five short of 700, and his three assists in the same game in Washington cut that gap quickly. He leads Florida with 25 points this season, as we noted when Tkachuk carried the Panthers into Washington.

Florida is 6-4-0 over its last 10 games, and these two have been in the middle of most of the good stretches.

Who hits 700 first for the Panthers?

Reinhart is the clear favorite, and not only because he needs fewer points. His goals are the story this season, while Tkachuk is playing the setup role with 21 assists and 12 power-play helpers.

Tkachuk would need a monster night in Boston to pass him to the mark today. He has already shown he can produce three points in a game, so nobody should rule it out. Still, if the race is decided today, bet on the man who is shooting.

The setting adds some weight. The Bruins are 12-4-1, first in the Atlantic, and have won three straight. The Panthers sit fifth in the division at 9-6-2, so the milestones are secondary to points in the standings.

Both players have a real shot at reaching 700 in the same game, which would be a nice moment for a team that needs one. It could also happen over the next few games if Boston's defense holds.

Quick hits

BOSTON BRUINSThe Bruins will face the Panthers today without James Hagens, who landed on injured reserve, according to Jack Studley's Game 18 notes. Boston has been rolling, but losing a young forward is never ideal against a team chasing points.

NEW YORK ISLANDERSMatthew Schaefer is two games shy of 100 NHL games, and he showed his edge against the Devils on Saturday night. The Islanders defenseman keeps stacking tough nights early in his career.

BUFFALO SABRESJack Rathbone cleared waivers, according to PuckPedia's list, with Pro Hockey Rumors reporting that no team took the Sabres blueliner. Buffalo faces Vegas next.

CAROLINA HURRICANESJesperi Kotkaniemi opened up on how he stays positive after the Hurricanes' 9-2 win over the Blackhawks. Jordan Martinook added his own words about him, a nice look at the room.

OTTAWA SENATORSNick Cousins scored with 2:15 left as the Senators beat Utah 4-2 on Saturday and moved to 11-6-1. They keep winning through long stretches without key players, which deserves more attention.