Panthers are back home to kick off a mammoth six game homestand. It opens tonight with a visit from the St. Louis Blues.
The Numbers
[table id=TS02G55 /] [table id=IS02G55 /] [table id=GM02G55 /]* – Stats are courtesy of War-on-Ice.com, Puckalytics.com and Hockey-Reference.com
Projected Lineups
[table id=PF02G55 /] [table id=PD02G52 /] [table id=PG02G34 /] [table id=OF02G55 /] [table id=OD02G55 /] [table id=OG02G55 /]The Hat Trick
Knight Down, McFarland Up: The news of the day in Pantherland is Corban Knight heading back to Portland, and forward John McFarland coming up the other way. I had been satsified with Knight’s play, but he had been scratched lately and it was probably time to go get him some regular minutes. McFarland is currently 4th in scoring on Portland, with 22 points in 43 games. He, like Brent Regner before him, is another guy on his first call up to the NHL. He is also the only of 6 players taken in the first two rounds of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Panthers to have not appeared in an NHL game. That could change tonight. If so, congratulations, welcome to the show.
Power Trio J: The Panthers have not one, not two, but three leading scorers. They are Jonathan Huberdeau, Jaromir Jagr, and Jussi Jokinen. All three players are having pretty good years, especially the elder two. His 2.1 P/60 at 5v5 is tied with his 2010-11 season in Carolina for best of his career. Jagr’s 2.3 P/60 is also the best he’s had not only since returning from the KHL in 2011, but since his 2006-07 season with the Rangers. He potted 96 points overall that year. He won’t get that close this time, but at his age this performance is impressive nonetheless. Huberdeau’s year isn’t as statistically stout as last season’s, however he is averaging more overall points per game than any other season of his career. However, I’d bet that if his scoring fortunes hadn’t gone south to start the year, he might be ahead of these two vets by a good clip.
Giving People The Blues: The Blues have had to rely upon Brian Elliott of late, with Jake Allen on the mend. Elliott has responded with brilliance, starting in 12 consecutive games entering tonight. He has been especially good in the last eight games. He has surrendered more than 2 goals just once in that span, and has given up a goal or less in five of those contests. Beating him will be a challenge tonight.
Furthermore, it appears the Blues will be getting Jaden Schwartz back from injury as well. The forward has been limited to just 7 games on the season, putting his response to a career year, of 63 points in 2014-15, on hold.
Closing Thoughts
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