Golden Knights (32-22-8) vs Panthers(32-23-6)
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Thursday, Feb. 6 the then struggling Las Vegas Golden Knights traveled to Sunrise, Florida to play the Panthers. At the time, Florida was one of the NHL’s most explosive teams. The Knights would have one of the most explosive third periods anyone has seen this season, scoring four goals in the third to put the panthers away 7-2.
Since then, Florida has fallen into a slump losing 5 of their last eight and slipping from second place in the Atlantic Division to fourth place. A position that could risk the Panthers from falling out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. On the other side of the coin, the Golden Knights, after the last meeting of these two teams, found their groove, adding to their team with high-quality defensive veterans, culminating in a four-game win streak that has Las Vegas sitting atop the Pacific Division.
Truly, both teams have swapped fortunes while now meeting again on opposite sides of the board. The Panthers are trying to regroup to reestablish their playoff position in the East, while the Golden Knights seek to solidify their position at the top.
Since their last meeting, Florida has not addressed their issues on the defensive side of the ice. Allowing over 3.34 goals a game, focusing more on trying to outscoring their opponents rather than trying stop them. Florida has allowed teams to restrict them offensively while their defense continues to give up meaningful goals late in games.
Realistically the Golden Knights are a much better defensive team; the acquisition of Alec Martinez this past week has only made the knights stronger in the defensive. Against the Golden Knights, However, the Panthers will have to find a way to keep offensive stars like Max Pacioretty and Mark stone from putting the game out of reach, which Stone is leading the team in point and assists, while Pacioretty leads the team in goals with 28. The pair is looking like a great one-two punch for the Vegas Golden Knights.
This is going to cause problems for now struggling Florida Panther team that has to find it’s way back into the good graces of the NHL’s top teams. But with Saturday’s game fast approaching coach Joel Quinnevill’s squad will have to find a way to come together or fall out of playoff contention.
The game will be Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7 P.M. at the T-mobile Arena.
Golden Knights Notes:
The Golden Knights won the only previous meeting this season against the Panthers, 7-2, on Feb. 6 in Florida.
Saturday’s game is the last of a five-game homestand for Vegas.
Vegas acquired a conditional 2021 fourth-round pick from the Winnipeg Jets on Friday in exchange for Cody Eakin.
The Golden Knights recalled forward Gage Quinney and defenseman Zach Whitecloud from the Chicago Wolves on Friday.
Golden Knights rookie Cody Glass’ conditioning stint with the Wolves didn’t go the way he wanted Thursday at Allstate Arena.
Glass reinjured his right knee in the first period after receiving an open-ice check from Grand Rapids Griffins forward Michael Rasmussen. After struggling to skate to the bench, Glass didn’t return.
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Vegas! If you want another great place to watch the game, head to Al’s Garage in Summerlin. There are multiple televisions to watch all the games. On the weekends Al’s has “Happy Hour” starting at 9 AM and ending at 9 PM. Al’s Garage is located at 11760 W. Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89135. Tell them, “The Franchise sent you!!”
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