The Florida Panthers will get a couple more days of rest before facing the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night in Raleigh. After starting its current six-game road trip with losses to Toronto and Montreal, the Panthers have bounced back by posting well-played, one-goal wins over Ottawa and Buffalo. The Hurricanes, who lost 3-0 in St. Louis last night, are also off until Friday. Carolina continues to hold down the top spot in Metropolitan Division, leading the New York Islanders by five points.
In Tuesday night action from the AHL, the Charlotte Checkers romped to an 8-2 victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds at Bojangles Coliseum. Ben Steeves was the named the game’s First Star for scoring twice and adding an assist. Defenseman Mike Benning also had a three-point game, finishing with a goal and two helpers. Liam McLinskey. Mikulas Hovorka, Hunter St. Martin, Wilmer Skoog and Nolan Foote also lit the lamp for the Checkers. Assists were credited to Jack Devine (two), Robert Mastrosimone, Mitchell Vande Sompel, Eamon Powell, Kai Schwindt, Hovorka, Nate Smith, Brian Pinho, Brett Chorske and Riese Gaber. Louis Domingue was the winning goalie. He stopped 16 of 18 shots as the Checkers upped its record to 20-12-2. The two teams will go at it again tonight.
Tonight in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances)
- Philadelphia (22-14-8 52P) at BUFFALO (24-16-4 52P) 7 p.m. (TNT)
- OTTAWA (21-19-5 47P) at New York Rangers (20-21-6 46P) 7 p.m.
Idle: TBL (61P), DET (60P), MON (59P), BOS (54P), TOR (53P), FLA (51P)