Florida: 16-8-5 (37PTS)
New York Rangers: 16-6-4 (36PTS)
Season Series: 1-0-0
Game Time: 7:30 PM EST
Television: Fox Sports Florida
Radio: 560 WQAM

The Panthers made their first visit to New York City this season a memorable one, holding practice in an outdoor rink in Central Park yesterday. There's also the small matter of a Sunday night game against the Rangers. The Panthers are in third place in the Eastern Conference with a comfortable lead on the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets in the Southeast Division. The Rangers, who have played fewer games than any other team in the conference, are creeping up the standings, sitting two points behind the Penguins and three behind the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Flyers. A Panthers win would put them back ahead of the Bruins for second in the conference and tie them with the Flyers. A Rangers win would move them ahead of the Penguins for fourth in the Conference and put them one point behind the Flyers.

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Panthers vs Rangers coverage at SB Nation.
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LBC Game Thread will open 30 minutes prior to puck drop.

News and Notes

Last meeting

The Panthers and Rangers played their annual Thanksgiving Eve game in Florida, with the Panthers winning 2-1. Kris Versteeg had the game winning goal and Jose Theodore had the win.

Last game

The Sabres beat the Panthers 2-1 in overtime in Buffalo, ending the Panthers 3 game win streak.

Lineup

Evgenii Dadonov was returned to the San Antonio Rampage yesterday. The arrival of Krys Barch and the return of Mikael Samuelsson from his injury rehab left no space for him on the roster. Matt Bradley is expected to return later this week, but is likely not playing tonight.

Injuries

• F Scottie Upshall (hip), 11/10, 6 to 8 weeks
• F Matt Bradley (undisclosed), 11/16, 1 week
• F Marcel Goc (undisclosed head injury), 11/16, day to day

Healthy Scratches

• D Keaton Ellerby

Starting goaltenders:

The starters should be playing this evening. Expect Jose Theodore to face off against Henrik Lundqvist.

Lines (last game)

Forwards

1. Fleischmann-Weiss-Versteeg
2. Kopecky-Santorelli-Sturm
3. Bergenheim-Matthias-Skille
4. Barch-Kennedy-Samuelsson

Defense

1. Campbell-Garrison
2. Jovanovski-Gudbranson
3. Kulikov-Weaver