Alright, enough about the expansion draft already… The Florida Panthers 2017-18 schedule is out.
As already reported, the Cats open the 2017-18 regular season with a home-and-home series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The all-Florida home-and-home series kicks off in Tampa Bay on Friday, October 6 at 7:30 pm, before the Panthers return for their home-opener against the Bolts at BB&T Center on Saturday, October 7 at 7 p.m.
As per usual, the Panthers will play a total of 82 regular season games (41 home and 41 away), as well as six preseason games (two home and four away). The home schedule is highlighted by 13 Saturday games and two visits by the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, October 20 and Saturday, February 24.
The Panthers season finale is set for Saturday, April 7 against the Buffalo Sabres at the BB&T Center.
THE BREAKDOWN
The Panthers will play 28 games within the Atlantic Division this season with four games (two home and two away) against the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida will play 24 games against teams from the Metropolitan Division and 30 games (one home and one away) against the Western Conference.
VEGAS, BABY!
The Panthers will play the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time when the teams meet at T-Mobile Arena in Sin City on Sunday, December 17. The Golden Knights first-ever game in Sunrise will take place on Friday, January 19.
HUGE HOMESTAND
Well, it’s actually two homestands with a road game in Tampa in the middle. The Cats will enjoy a season-long six-game stretch at home from February 22 to March 4. After a game at Amalie Arena against the Lightning on March 6, the Panthers will return for five-game homestand.
To see the complete schedule click here.