In a gripping matchup, the Florida Panthers are set to face off against the Montreal Canadiens tonight in Sunrise following their thrilling third-period comeback against the Washington Capitals. The Panthers, eager to maintain momentum, will not be starting rookie goalie Jacob Fowler, the first Florida-born netminder in NHL history, but will instead see former Panther Sam Montembeault in goal for the Canadiens.
Montreal’s recent performance has been commendable, coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Currently enjoying a five-game point streak with a record of 3-0-2, they sit just above the Panthers in the Atlantic Division standings. If they were to finish the night tied, the Panthers would hold the tiebreaker with a higher number of regulation wins (18-13), although early season standings are still subject to change with more than half the season ahead.
Tonight marks Game No. 39 for the Panthers, signifying that the season is nearing its halfway point. Prior to the game, the Panthers will honor Brad Marchand, who recently reached 1,000 career points.
The NHL Winter Classic is also approaching, scheduled in Miami this Friday, a collaborative celebration involving both the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Additionally, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky recently climbed to eighth on the NHL’s all-time wins list, showcasing his enduring talent and contribution to the Panthers’ success.
As for the lineups, the Panthers are expected to feature a robust roster, with some players scratched or injured, including stars Sasha Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, while the Canadiens are also dealing with significant injuries to key players like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook.
Fans can catch the game on local TV and stream it via Panthers+ and ESPN+. The Panthers are slight favorites heading into this contest, with betting odds favoring them at -135 on the money line.
This matchup is a crucial one for both teams as they navigate an intense season, providing fans with a thrilling evening of hockey action.