FLORIDA PANTHERS NOTES:
BAPTIST HEALTH INJURY REPORT
- F Anthony Duclair | Games Missed: 23
- F Aleksander Barkov | Games Missed: 3
Total Man Games Lost Due to Injury: 47
LAST GAME
Panthers 2, Flames 6 – Nov. 29 – Scotiabank Saddledome
FLA Goals: Cousins (3), Reinhart (7)
CGY Goals: Dube (4-SHG), Huberdeau (4-PPG), Andersson (3), Ritchie (5), Toffoli (8), Mangiapane (4)
FLA Goalie: Bobrovsky (L) – 17 Saves
CGY Goalie: Vladar (W) – 31 Saves
FLA Shots: 33
CGY Shots: 23
Notes: Aaron Ekblad notched his 200th NHL assist, extending his point streak to five game (3-4-7)…Sam Reinhart scored a goal, extending his point streak to four games (2-4-6)…Anton Lundell posted an assist, extending his point streak to four games (3-1- 4)…Nick Cousins logged an assist for his second point in as many games (1-1-2)…FLA PP: 0-4, FLA PK: 3-4 RECENT TRANSACTIONS:
- Nov. 27: F Aleksi Heponiemi recalled from Charlotte (AHL) on an emergency basis
PANTHERS vs. CANUCKS
ALL-TIME vs. VAN: 15-14-6-4
ALL-TIME ROAD vs. VAN: 5-8-5-2
2021-22 vs. VAN: 2-0-0
CATS STATS
- Josh Mahura leads Florida with a plus-12 rating.
- Matthew Tkachuk’s 20 even-strength points rank tied for fourth-most among NHL skaters this season.
- Aaron Ekblad is the 19th active defenseman to reach at least 100 goals, 200 assists and 300 points. Of that group, Ekblad’s 7.2 career shooting percentage is the third-highest.
- Matthew Tkachuk has amassed 29 points (13-16-29) over 31 career games against Vancouver.
- Sam Reinhart has produced 12 points (9-3-12) over 12 career games against the Canucks.
- Aaron Ekblad has registered 10 points (3-7-10) over 13 career games against Vancouver.
CATS AND CANUCKS
Tonight the Panthers face off against the Canucks for the first time in 2022-23. Florida swept the season series against Vancouver in 2021-22, and have won each of their past three meetings. Last season, the Panthers outscored the Canucks 6-3 over their two meetings, led by Sam Reinhart (3-1-4) and Aaron Ekblad (1-2-3). In Florida’s prior visit to Rogers Arena on Jan. 21, Anton Lundell and Aleksander Barkov each tallied in the shootout to propel the Cats to a 2-1 win. Spencer Knight stopped 27 of 28 Vancouver shots against in the game, as well as two of three he faced in the shootout.
ST. PATRIC’S DAY
Tonight, Patric Hornqvist is expected to skate in his 900th NHL game, becoming the 28th Sweden-born skater to achieve the milestone in NHL history. The two-time Stanley Cup champion’s 95 power-play goals are the most among active Swedish NHLers. Hornqvist has amassed 62 points (26-36-62) over 129 games with Florida, including 11 power-play tallies and 345 shots on goal which both rank third among Panthers since 2020-21 when he joined the club. His 209 hits over that span rank behind only Ryan Lomberg (241) for most among Florida forwards.
PUCKS ON NET
Florida leads all NHL clubs with 905 total shots on goal this season. The Panthers pace all teams in shots on goal per game both overall (39.3) and on the road (39.3).
NOVEMBER RECAP
Seven different Cats produced at least 10 points over Florida’s 14 games in November, led by Matthew Tkachuk (5-11-16 in 12GP). Brandon Montour (2-10-12) and Gustav Forsling (0-10-10) each posted at least 10 points in November. Only Boston (Hampus Lindholm, 2-9-11 and Charlie McAvoy, 2-8-10) and Vegas (Shea Theodore, 1-9-10 and Alex Pietrangelo, 3-12-15) also had two blueliners post at least 10 points during the month.
CHUCKIE’S CHEESE
Matthew Tkachuk logged his team-leading 10th multi-point game (1-1-2) of the season Nov. 28 at EDM. His goal marked his 10th with Florida this season in his 20th game. Per NHL stats, only four players had reached the 10-goal mark faster with Florida: Pavel Bure (9 GP in 1998-99), Sam Bennett (14 GP in 2020-21 – 2021-22), Kristian Huselius (17 GP in 2001-02) and Mike Hoffman (19 GP in 2018-19). With 29 points (10-19-29) through his first 20 games, Tkachuk surpassed Jonathan Huberdeau (9-18—27 in 2019-20) for the most points by a Panthers skater through their first 20 games in a season. The 24-year-old posted a point in five straight games (4-6-10) from Nov. 15-23, his second point streak of five games this season. His two points (1-1-2) Nov. 23 vs. BOS represented his 100th career multi-point game. Tkachuk leads Florida in assists, points, even-strength points (20) and shots on goal (91). He has posted three three-point outings in 2022-23, tied with Brandon Montour and Aleksander Barkov for the most on the team. Tkachuk led Florida with a plus-four rating Nov. 15 vs. WSH, the second time this season he has posted such a rating. His first assist in the game marked his 400th NHL point. Per NHL stats, Tkachuk was the second player from the NHL Draft to reach the mark, joining fellow American Auston Matthews (266-206—472 in 423 GP). He required the fourth-fewest games to reach 400 points among active American-born NHLers.
EK’S GON’ GIVE IT TO YA
Aaron Ekblad logged his 200th NHL assist Nov. 29 at CGY to extend his current point streak to five games (3-4-7), tied for the longest by a Panthers skater this season. He is the third blueliner to reach 200 assists with Florida. Ekblad notched his 199th career assist Nov. 28 at EDM for his 300th NHL point (101-198-299). He is the first Panthers defenseman to reach the mark with Florida and the first blueliner from the 2014 draft class to post 300 points. His current five-game point streak includes a three-game goal streak from Nov. 20-23. He scored his 100th career goal Nov. 23 vs. BOS and produced a season-high three points (1-2-3). He is the first defenseman in franchise history to reach 100 goals with the franchise. Ekblad scored his 100th NHL goal in his 563rd game, and per NHL stats only Erik Karlsson (477 GP) hit the mark in fewer games among all active defensemen. He skated a season-high 28:26 Nov. 19 vs. CGY. The Windsor, Ontario native is eight games shy of surpassing Robert Svehla (573) for most games played by a defenseman in club history.
Most Assists by Defensemen in Franchise History
- Robert Svehla 229
- Keith Yandle 201
- Aaron Ekblad 200
‘HART OF GOLD
Forward Sam Reinhart has produced at least one point in each of his past four games (2-4-6). Over the course of his four-game streak, he has logged 12 shots, a plus-three rating and produced back-to-back multi-point outings on Nov. 23-26. Reinhart’s five power-play tallies since Nov. 6 leads all NHL skaters. Reinhart scored a power-play goal in three consecutive games from Nov. 15-19, behind only Anthony Duclair and Evgenii Dadonov (4 games each) for the longest PPG streak in franchise history. Reinhart’s five power-play tallies are the most on Florida this season, and he has logged seven power-play points. He recorded his first two goals of the season Nov. 6 at ANA and led Florida with seven shots on goal in the game. He has produced 12 points (7-5-12) over his past 12 games. The West Vancouver, B.C. native scored the game-deciding goal in the shootout against James Reimer Nov. 3 at SJS.
MR. CARTER
Forward Carter Verhaeghe scored his team-leading 12th goal of the season Nov. 26 vs. STL. The tally marked his 10th even-strength goal of the campaign, tied for fifth-most among League skaters. Verhaeghe registered a goal and an assist Nov. 17 vs. DAL and recorded his team-leading fourth multi-goal game of the season Nov. 15 vs. WSH. His performance marked his 13th career multi-goal outing, and his 12th with Florida. He has produced 19 points (12-7-19) over 23 games in 2022-23, which ranks third on the team. He posted a point in four straight games from Nov. 3-9 (4-3-7). Over his past 15 games, Verhaeghe has amassed nine goals and 14 points (9-5-14). The Toronto, Ontario native’s seven total multi-point games and 15 even-strength points in 2022-23 each rank second on the team behind Matthew Tkachuk.
MONTOUR OF DUTY
Brandon Montour notched an assist Nov. 28 at EDM to reach 20 points (4-16-20) through his first 20 games of the season. With the assist, he surpassed Aaron Ekblad (22 GP, 2021-22) for the fewest games to reach the mark in a season among Panthers blueliners in club history. Montour has notched an assist in five of his past eight games (0-5-5), and he has amassed 12 points (1-11-12) over his past 11 games. The Brantford, Ontario native leads Florida blueliners in assists and points. Montour’s seven points from Nov. 6-9 tied Bryan McCabe (1-6-7, March 3-6, 2010) for the most points in a two-game span by a Panthers defenseman in club history. Montour matched his career high with four points (1-3-4) Nov. 6 at ANA, also tying the franchise record for single-game points by a defenseman. He became the eighth blueliner in club history to post four points in a regular season game, and he skated a career-high 30:41 total time on ice Nov. 3 at SJS.
JUST THE TWO OF GUS
Defenseman Gustav Forsling has produced three assists over his past three games. He registered his 10th career multi-assist game Nov. 26 vs. STL. All 10 of his multi-assist performances have come with Florida. Forsling has amassed 16 points (2-14-16) over 23 games in 2022-23, including 13 even-strength points which are the most among Panthers defensemen. Forsling notched an assist in five straight games (0-6-6) from Nov. 12-20, the longest assist/point streak of his career. He also posted a four-game assist/point streak earlier this season (1-4-5, 4GP Oct. 15-21). He logged a career-high seven shots on goal Nov. 1 at ARI. His 69 total shots this season are the second-most among Panthers blueliners.
LUN DMC
Anton Lundell has posted at least a point in each of his past four games (3-1-4), including a three-game goal streak from Nov. 23-28 which marked the longest such streak of his career. He scored Florida’s first shorthanded goal of the season Nov. 26 vs. STL. The 21- year-old has posted 13 points (5-8-13) over 23 games this season, and his 56.3% shorthanded faceoff win percentage is the highest on the Panthers.
BENNY AND THE CATS
Forward Sam Bennett has amassed six assists over his past seven games and 11 points (4-7-11) over his past 11 contests. He matched his career high with three assists while skating in his 500th NHL game Nov. 17 vs. DAL. He scored two goals (2-0-2) Nov. 12 vs. Edmonton, which extended his goal/point streak to three games (4-1-5). Bennett also led Florida with six shots on goal in the game. He has registered six multi-point games this season, including in four of his past nine outings. The Holland Landing, Ontario native’s 71 shots on goal are the third-most on the team and his 54 hits lead Florida forwards.
THE BUTCHER
Defenseman Radko Gudas scored his second goal of the campaign Nov. 26 vs. STL and led Florida in hits (5), blocked shots (4) and shots on goal (5-tied). He also registered a team-leading eight hits and four blocked shots Nov. 23 vs. BOS. His eight hits were the most by a Panthers skater in a game this season, and he leads the team with 91 hits in 2022-23. Gudas has produced six points (2-4-6) in 2022-23. He scored his first goal of the season Nov. 3 at SJS while logging six hits, the most of any skater in the game. He logged a personal season-high six shots on goal Oct. 29 vs. OTT. Gudas skated 25:11 time on ice Oct. 21 vs. TBL, his highest TOI since skating 25:23 Nov. 28, 2015 at NYR. He registered his second assist of the season Oct. 19 vs. PHI, and tied for the team lead in plus-minus in the game with a plus-three rating.
COL’ ME MAYBE
Forward Colin White scored in two straight games from Nov. 19-20. He has produced 11 points (5-6-11) over 22 games with Florida this season, with all 11 coming at even strength. He posted an assist in three consecutive games from Oct. 23-27 (0-3-3), marking the longest assist streak of his career and his third three-game point streak of 2022-23. He produced his first multi-point game with the Panthers Oct. 17 at BOS, logging two points (1-1-2). The Boston, Mass., native’s goal Oct. 15 at BUF marked his 100th NHL point.
OH WHAT A KNIGHT
Goaltender Spencer Knight has earned at least one point in each of his last three starts (1-0-2). He stopped 37 of 39 shots he faced against BOS Nov. 23, including all 32 he faced at even strength. He stopped all 40 Carolina shots he faced Nov. 9 vs. CAR to earn his third career shutout. At 21 years and 204 days of age, Knight became the fifth different NHL goaltender with a 40-save shutout before turning 22 (since 1955-56 when shots on goal were officially tracked). He joined Steve Mason (3x; last: April 9, 2010), Bill Ranford (3x; last: Feb. 21, 1987), Marc-Andre Fleury (Oct. 5, 2006) and Sean Burke (Oct. 10, 1988). Knight owns a 5-2-0 record in 2022-23, including a 3-1-0 record at FLA Live Arena. He owns a 13-4-0 record in 17 home appearances in his NHL career. He posted a .920 save percentage to earn his 25th career win in his 38th appearance Oct. 23 vs. NYI. Only four active goaltenders had reached the 25-win mark in fewer appearances: Frederik Andersen (33 GP), Jordan Binnington (35 GP), Matt Murray (36 GP) and Anton Khudobin (36 GP). It also marked the third-fewest appearances to reach the 25-win mark by an American-born goaltender in NHL history, behind Frank Bimsek (34 GP w/ BOS in 1938-39) and Jim Carey (37 GP w/ WSH from 1994-94 – 1995-96).
WHAT ABOUT BOB?
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped a season-high 41 shots for a .953 save percentage Nov. 15 vs. WSH. His 41 saves were his most since stopping 42 shots against Jan. 11 vs. VAN. Bobrovsky appeared in his 600th NHL game Nov. 5 at LAK, becoming the 53rd goaltender in league history to reach the mark. His 339 career wins are the most through a goaltender’s first 600 appearances in NHL history. He stopped 32 of the 33 NYI shots he faced in Florida’s season opener on Oct. 13, including all 27 at even strength and 16 in the first period. Bobrovsky tied for the league lead with a franchise-record 39 wins in 2021-22, including a club-record and league-leading 26 home wins.
GOTTA GO TO MO’
Nov. 15 vs. WSH marked Paul Maurice’s 1,700th game as an NHL head coach, becoming the fourth in League history to reach the mark. He earned his 783rd win as an NHL head coach Nov. 9 vs. CAR, surpassing legendary bench boss Al Arbour for sixth-most in League history. He is one of three coaches to earn at least 300 wins with two different franchises.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS NOTES:
CANUCKS VS PANTHERS PREVIEW
TV: Sportsnet Pacific
Radio: Sportsnet 650
MATCH-UP INFO
• Tonight marks the first of two meetings between the Canucks and Panthers this season: Dec. 1 (home) and Jan. 14 (away).
• The Canucks are 18-11-6-4 all-time against the Panthers, including a 10-3-5-2 record at home.
• Vancouver is 4-5-1 in their last 10 games vs Florida (2-2-1 in their last 5).
• Among active Canucks skaters, J.T. Miller (6-11-17 in 21 GP) and Tyler Myers (2-15-17 in 30 GP) lead the team in scoring against Florida with 17 points.
• Luke Schenn leads the team in career games played against the Panthers (39).
• Elias Pettersson has five points (1-4-5) in five career games against Florida.
• Thatcher Demko is 1-2-0 in his career vs the Panthers, posting a 4.04 GAA and .887 SV%.
• Spencer Martin is 1-0-1 in his career against Florida, posting a 0.92 GAA and .971 SV%
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
• Phillip Di Giuseppe assigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 30
• Phillip Di Giuseppe recalled from Abbotsford, Nov. 29
• Vasily Podkolzin assigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 28
• Jack Rathbone assigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 28
• Curtis Lazar activated from injured reserve, Nov. 18
• William Lockwood assigned to Abbotsford, Nov. 18
QUICK NUMBERS
• J.T. Miller has 11 points (4-7-11) in his last 10 games and is on a nine-game point streak (4-7-11).
• Bo Horvat has 13 goals and 18 points (13-5-18) in his last 15 games and is tied for 2nd with Connor McDavid for most NHL goals this season at 17 (two behind Jason Robertson (DAL) for first).
• Quinn Hughes has 21 points (0-21-21) this season and is tied for first in the NHL for assists among defencemen (21 in 19 GP).
• Andrei Kuzmenko has 10 points (4-6-10) in his last six games.
• Elias Pettersson leads the team with 27 points (11-16-27) this season and has 10 points (5-5-10) in his last 10 games.
• Luke Schenn is 9 hits away from tying Brooks Orpik (2,946) for the NHL all-time record of most hits by a defenceman.
LAST MEETING – JAN. 21/22: VAN 1 vs FLA 2 (SO)
Alex Chiasson opened up scoring with a power play goal at 16:18 in the first period…Tanner Pearson and Quinn Hughes recorded assists on the play…Spencer Martin made his Canucks debut and pushed the game to a shootout…Nils Höglander led the team in shots (6)…Jason Dickinson and Tyler Motte led the team in hits (4)…Quinn Hughes led the team in TOI (28:20)…Spencer Martin made 33 saves.
2022.23 TEAM RANKS
VAN FLA
Goals For/Game 3.48 (6th) 3.35 (12th)
Goals Against/Game 3.78 (30th) 3.48 (23rd)
Power Play % 27.5 (5th) 19.1 (25th)
Penalty Kill % 66.7 (31st) 76.4 (22nd)
Penalty Min./Game 11:46 (25th) 10:54 (22nd)
*Rankings are accurate as of 2:30pm PT on November 30
LAST GAME PLAYED – NOV. 29/22: VAN 1 vs WSH 5
Nils Höglander recorded his second goal of the season at 13:55 in the first period…J.T. Miller got the lone assist and extended his point streak to nine games…Curtis Lazar led the team in hits (5)…Quinn Hughes led the team in shots (4)…Bo Horvat won 10/13 faceoffs (76.9%)…Spencer Martin faced 27 shots.
LAST 5 vs FLORIDA
• Jan. 21/22: VAN 1 vs FLA 2 (SO)
• Jan. 11/22: VAN 2 at FLA 5
• Jan. 9/20: VAN 2 at FLA 5
• Oct. 28/19: VAN 7 vs FLA 2
• Jan. 13/19: VAN 5 vs FLA 1
HOCKEY HALL OF FAME NIGHT
Tonight’s game at Rogers Arena marks Hockey Hall of Fame Night, presented by Tim Hortons, as the Canucks recognize recent Hockey Hall of Fame inductees and former Canucks legends Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, and Roberto Luongo. The evening will feature many exciting activations, including a pre-game puck drop ceremony to celebrate these teammates who spent eight years together entertaining and thrilling us with their play. The Canucks for Kids Fund will also be hosting an estimated $250,000 50/50 raffle, with proceeds benefitting the Sedin Family Foundation. The Foundation was established by Henrik & Johanna and Daniel & Marinette Sedin, to celebrate people, recognize achievement, and address the needs of families and children. Tickets can be purchased at Canucks.com/online5050.
SEDINS & LUONGO BY THE NUMBERS
0.80 – The point-per-game rate at which Daniel and Henrik Sedin each finished their careers (240-830-1070 in 1330 GP for Henrik, 393-648-1041 in 1306 GP for Daniel).
1 – Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, and Roberto Luongo each rank 1st among Canucks in several statistical categories:
• Daniel: Shots (3,474), goals (393), even-strength goals (255), power play goals (138), game-winning goals (86), overtime goals (16).
• Henrik: Faceoff wins (9,887), games played (1,330), points (1,070), assists (830), power play points (369), plus-minus (+165).
• Luongo: Wins (252), games played by a goaltender in one season (76), wins in a season (47), shutouts (38), shutouts in a season (9).
2, 3 & 4 – The positions overall which Daniel Sedin (2nd, 1999), Henrik Sedin (3rd, 1999), and Roberto Luongo (4th, 1997) were selected in their respective NHL Entry Drafts.
6 – The number of Northwest Division championships won together by the Sedins and Luongo during their eight seasons together in Vancouver.
9 – The combined number of NHL All-Star Game selections between the Sedins (3 each) and Luongo (3).
36 – The percentage of goals (1,363 of 3,799) in which at least one Sedin brother factored in on a Canucks goal during their entire careers.
242:36 – The elapsed time during Roberto Luongo’s franchise-setting shutout streak from Nov. 2/08 to Nov. 12/08 (ranks 15th in NHL history).
679 – The number of consecutive games which Henrik Sedin appeared in from Mar. 21/04 to Jan. 18/14 (ranks 11th in NHL history).
743 – The number of goals which Daniel and Henrik Sedin combined on together in their careers (2nd in NHL history to W. Gretzky and J. Kurri).
1,000 – Each Sedin brother recorded more than 1,000 points in their NHL career, making them the first sibilings in NHL history to accomplish the feat.
11,663 – The number of saves made by Roberto Luongo during his Canucks tenure (2nd in franchise history, 4th in the NHL during his eight seasons in Vancouver).
KUZ CONTROL
Notching the game-winner (11th goal) and an assist on Nov. 27 at SJS, first-year NHLer Andrei Kuzmenko recorded his fourth multipoint game in the last five games, and his seventh so far this season, which ranks second-most on the team behind only Elias Pettersson’s eight multi-point games. Previously, on Nov. 26 at VGK, Kuzmenko (19 points) tied Igor Larionov and ranked only behind Elias Pettersson (21) for most points through a player’s first 20 career NHL games in Canucks history.
POWER PLAY PROWESS
Netting 19 power play goals on 57 opportunities in their last 17 games played, thanks to three on the man-advantage on Nov. 26 at VGK, the Canucks’ power play ranks second in the NHL since Oct. 24, producing at a rate of 33.3%. Vancouver is also ranked sixth in the league overall this season at 27.5% and has the third-ranked power play on home ice at 34.5%.
MOVIN’ ON UP
With the team’s 5-0 victory on Nov. 26 at SJS, Bruce Boudreau passed Tom Renney for sole possession of 13th place on the Canucks all-time coaches wins list with his 40th victory.
EV40
Scoring at 5-on-5 in the third period on Nov. 27 at SJS, Elias Pettersson tallied his 11th goal of the season, all of which have come at even strength. He ranks tied for second among NHL skaters for most even strength goals this season (11), trailing Jason Robertson (15).
HUGHES’ HELPING HANDS
• Collecting two assists on Nov. 26 at VGK, Quinn Hughes picked up his 20th assist of the season in just 17 games, trailing only Henrik Sedin (21 assists in 2010.11) for most assists by a Canucks player through their first 17 games of a season.
o Previously, on Nov. 21 vs VGK, Hughes passed Sami Salo for sole possession of 9th place on the Canucks all-time assists list among defencemen (164) in 346 fewer games played.
• Picking up a power play assist to extend his personal assist streak to 10 games (0-13-13) on Nov. 13 at BOS, Hughes passed Jiri Bubla (1983.84) for the second-longest assist streak by a defenceman in Canucks history. He is only one of two Canuck defencemen to ever hit a double-digit streak, being one game short of tying Dennis Kearns for the franchise record (11 games in 1976.77).
BO’S BLAZING START
Scoring his team-leading 17th goal on Nov. 26 at VGK, Bo Horvat became the fourth player in Canucks history to notch at least as many goals in the team’s first 21 games of the season.
• With 31 goals in 41 games since March 9, 2022, Horvat has the highest goals per game (0.76) in the League during that stretch (minimum 5 GP).
• Tallying eight goals in five games (Oct. 28-Nov. 8), Horvat tied Mikael Samuelsson (2009.10) and Alexandre Burrows (2009.10) as the only Canucks to do so in the last 26 years.
• Earlier this season, Horvat became also the first player in franchise history to have five multi-goal games in the first 13 games.
HARD HITTING SCHENN
With 2,937 career hits, Luke Schenn is only nine hits away from tying Brooks Orpik (2,946) for most in League-history by a defenceman. Schenn has collected the second-most hits in the NHL this season (97 in 23 GP). Earlier this month, Schenn became the first player in NHL history to record at least three games with 12+ hits in his career following a franchise record-matching 12 hits on Nov. 12 at TOR.
*The NHL began tracking hits in 2005.06.
