We are all riding on Cloud Nine! The Panthers have won eight in a row, and six in a row on home ice. Those are both franchise records. The Panthers will look to sweep their homestand tonight against the Minnesota Wild, and make it lucky seven at home, and consecutive win number nine.
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G39 /] [table id=IS02G39 /] [table id=GM02G39 /]* – Stats are courtesy of War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G39 /] [table id=PD02G39 /] [table id=PG02G32 /] [table id=OF02G39 /] [table id=OD02G39 /] [table id=OG02G39 /]The Rundown
What can you say about the Panthers? They are red hot, cannot be much better than this.
For a closer look at the hot streak, check out the article I wrote yesterday on the Panthers December to Remember. The same sentiments still apply today after yesterday’s victory. There are some points of concern, but we have every reason to feel good about this team.
The big change though: Big Nick Bjugstad has been activated from IR, and is expected to play this evening!
The Minnesota Wild will be the opponent as the Panthers close out a six game homestand. The Wild come in with a similar record to the Panthers, however they are the first Wild Card team in the Western Conference. Why? Because they play in the knife fight that is the Central Division, where the 6th place team (Colorado) has a better record than the 3rd place team (Vancouver) in the Pacific Division.
The Wild played last night, just like the Panthers, and were extended to the shootout by Tampa Bay. However, they lost on a Ryan Callahan winner. Devan Dubnyk manned the net for the Wild last night, so we might see graybeard Niklas Backstrom in net for the Wild. However, given the tenuous situation in the Central Division, it would not surprise me to see Dubnyk, a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2014-15, get back to back duty.
Players to Watch:
Erik Gudbranson – Big 44’s metrics did not look very good to start the season. However, since being split from Willie Mitchell, his underlying numbers have taken a big upward swing. He is at a score adjusted CF% of 51.1 since the change, +2.7% relative to the team. He has shaved a staggering 14.5 CA/60 during this current run compared to his first 21 games, and added 7.6 CF/60.
Mikko Koivu (MIN) – The Minnesota Captain is one of two Wild players who are a point per game or better in the recent stretches (Nino Niederreitter has nine points in nine games) with 11 points in his last 10 games.
Closing Thoughts
As always, don’t forget to make a donation to #CatsForACause! Make a donation today, and let us know on Twitter using #CatsForACause!
Also, register today to attend PAWS, a hockey anayltics conference being hosted right here in South Florida by the Panthers! There is a smorgasboard of great guests on deck, and there is sure to be a lot of great knowledge dropped as well. If you are all about those numbers, come on out!
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