The Florida Panthers will begin a three-game road trip with a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre on Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This marks the first meeting between the two teams this season. Last year, each team won one game in their head-to-head series.
Following a 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks earlier in the week, the Panthers are looking to rebound as they continue their push for a playoff spot. The team is currently five points behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference and has two games in hand.
Matthew Tkachuk returns to the lineup after an absence, rejoining familiar linemates Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe midway through his last game. Head coach Paul Maurice commented on Tkachuk’s return: “I think we’re going to put two lines on the ice that are fairly close to our second and third line last year, so there’s some familiarity there. His ability to complete plays, I thought he played a really good game. I had planned on 15 to 17 minutes; he ended up playing 20. I thought his first game back for such a long absence was really solid.”
Sam Reinhart emphasized the importance of each upcoming match: “Important games right now,” Reinhart said after morning skate. “Everything is important. It’s easy to look where we’re at, bigger picture, but we’ve got to minimize our focus and keep it as narrow as we can.”
Daniil Tarasov is expected to start in goal for Florida. In his previous two starts, Tarasov stopped 52 of 55 shots faced.
The Winnipeg Jets enter Thursday’s contest having won five of their last seven games, most recently defeating the St. Louis Blues 3-1 at home. Mark Scheifele led with two goals and an assist while defenseman Josh Morrissey contributed one goal and two assists.
Reinhart acknowledged Winnipeg’s offensive threats: “When we play against teams like that, sometimes brings out the best of us,” he said about facing top talent on the Jets roster. “We know how important is to defend and that’s what leads to our offense. They got some world-class players over there that can certainly put the puck in the net.”
Scheifele leads Winnipeg with 25 goals, 36 assists, and 61 points—ranking seventh overall in NHL scoring this season. Morrissey ranks among league leaders for defensemen in goals (10), assists (32), and points (42).
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is expected to start for Winnipeg; he holds a record of 12-13-5 with a .902 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.71 this season.
Cole Schwindt commented on playoff positioning: “Every two points is important, especially as it comes down the stretch here.” Maurice added regarding lineup changes: “We still believe that in the base foundation of our game, that we can play it every night.”
Florida has nine skaters who have recorded at least 20 points this season. Reinhart has scored seven goals and eleven assists in eighteen career games against Winnipeg; Verhaeghe also has eighteen road points this season (seven goals, eleven assists). The Panthers have performed well against Central Division opponents with a record of six wins, two losses, and one overtime loss; they are also eight wins and one loss when scoring first away from home.
Recent transactions include Jack Studnicka being loaned to Charlotte (AHL) on January 21; Noah Gregor loaned on January 19; Uvis Balinskis agreeing to terms on a contract extension starting next season; Sandis Vilmanis recalled from Charlotte on January 10; Tobias Bjornfot recalled from Charlotte on January 4.
Thursday’s game will be broadcast locally via WSFL, WHDT, WFTX and streamed online through PanthersPlus.TV as well as several radio stations across South Florida.
For fans interested in attending or viewing parties related information can be found via official channels.