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GameDay Caterwaul: Panthers at Predators

Posted on by Donny Rivette

Florida Panthers (11-9-4 26P) vs Nashville Predators (13-7-4 30P)

  • WHEN: 8:00 p.m. ET – LBC GameThread right here at 7:30ish
  • WHERE: Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN/

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  • FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 1 of 2 (0-0)
  • ALL-TIME vs NSH: 8W-6L-3T 2OTL 3SOL 55GF 55GA
  • ALL-TIME at NSH: 2W-5L-2T 0OTL 2SOL 21GF 29GA
  • LAST FIVE vs NSH: 1-2-2 13GF 17GA/

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  • PROJECTED STARTERS: Luongo (9-8-3 .926/2.31 1SO), Rinne (11-5-4 .910/2.33 2SO)
  • JAGR WATCH: All-time vs NSH (reg season): 19GP 7G-17A 24P 1GWG
  • PLAYER STATS: Florida / Nashville /

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  • NOTES: At the very least, Panthers F Nick Bjugstad (upper body) will miss this game and tomorrow’s match at Columbus; the injury is reportedly not connected to the back surgery he underwent last spring…D Dmitry Kulikov (knee) is expected to return Friday against the Blue Jackets, though with the blueline corps recently playing rather well as a group it’s not known where he will slot in (Miami Herald)…Firewagon forward Derek MacKenzie has no points (minus-11) in 23 career games vs Nashville with three clubs (ATL/CLS/FLA); consider the teams involved and call that stat a wash…Expected starters: G Roberto Luongo is 16-13-2 with 3 SO vs the Preds; G Pekka Rinne is 4-2-0 (0 SO) vs Florida…James Neal paces the Preds with 18 points (10G), followed by Filip Forsberg (16P/5G) and D Roman Josi (15P/4G)…The Panthers are without a victory in Nashville since a 4-2 decision on December 11, 1999, a stretch of 10 games; that victory was their second in two total matches at Nashville (the first being October 10th of 1998, a 1-0 shutout).
  • QUOTED:/

“It was huge. Guys were making fun of him a little bit after his breakaway that he shot right in [Allen’s] chest, but after that he turned it up to beast mode and buried a couple there.”

– Panthers G Roberto Luongo, referring to the timely offensive output (2 unassisted goals) of fourth-line rock Derek MacKenzie against the Blues (more).

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Last game for the Cats: 3-1 victory in St. Louis on Tuesday. Past five: 3-1-1 11GF 10GA (streak: 3W)

Last game for the Preds: . 5-2 home win vs the Yotes Tuesday. Past five: 2-2-1 11GF 14GA (streak: 1W)

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Wednesday Practice Action via PlagensVision:

Preds Practice Ponderings:

The Predators close out their current three-game set at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday evening when they host Jaromir Jagr and the Florida Panthers. Now 43 years of age, Jagr is fourth in all-time scoring in NHL history with 1,820 points, 730 of which are goals. Jagr is just 30 points behind Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe, for third in League history. (more)

NHL.com Preview:

Center Mike Fisher (lower body) will miss at least the next four games after Nashville placed him on injured reserve Wednesday. Fisher sustained the injury in the second period of a 5-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday when he lost his balance on after a check by Martin Hanzal and crashed into the boards. He appeared unable to put much weight on his right leg, The Tennessean reported. (more)

Yahoo! Sports Preview:

The Panthers haven’t won four straight since a five-game run Dec. 10-19, 2013. Florida’s drought in Nashville dates to a 4-2 victory Dec. 11, 1999. The Panthers have lost five times in regulation, twice in shootouts and tied twice in their nine visits since. (more)

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Thursday in the Atlantic Division (Standings / Panthers Playoff Chances):

  • Washington (17-5-1 35P) at MONTREAL (19-4-3 41P), 7:30
  • Chicago (13-9-3 29P) at OTTAWA (12-7-5 29P), 7:30
  • Arizona (13-10-1 27P) at DETROIT (13-8-4 30P), 7:30
  • TORONTO (8-12-5 21P) at Minnesota (12-7-4 28P), 8:00
  • Idle: BOS (13-8-2 28P), TBL (12-11-3 27P), BUF (10-12-3 23P)/

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Panthers, SoFla Media & Loyal Opposition on the Tweets

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