While the Florida Panthers remain idle, Anton Khudobin posted a 34-save shutout, and the Dallas Stars scored five power-play goals to win its delayed season opener 7-0 against the Nashville Predators at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Friday.
The Stars were supposed to open the season against the Cats with a back-to-back set at the BB&T Center January 14 and 15.
The other Friday game in the Central Division saw the Chicago Blackhawks collect its first victory of the young season with a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Kevin Lankinen, starting again after he was beaten 5-4 in overtime by the Panthers, made 30 saves for his first NHL win.
In roster news, Florida prospect Jonathan Ang was placed on unconditional waivers yesterday. Expect Ang to clear today and have his contact terminated. Ang was taken by the Cats in the fourth round (94th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. In 124 AHL games with the Springfield Thunderbirds, the speedy Ang produced 12 goals and 46 points.
Panthers prospects
Spencer Knight made 39 saves in Boston College’s 3-3 overtime tie against Connecticut. Knight is now 7-0-1 with a 1.86 GAA and .945 save percentage for the Eagles.
BC forward Logan Hutsko registered four shots on goal and finished the game with an even rating.
Huskies defenseman Carter Berger picked up an assist, had three shots on goal and finished the game with a +1 rating.
Freshman Ty Smilanic had three shots on goal and finished with an even rating in Quinnipiac’s 1-1 overtime tie with Clarkson.
Sophomore defenseman Zachary Uens collected an assist, had one shot on goal and finished with a +2 rating in Merrimack’s 5-2 road win over New Hampshire.
Owen Lindmark registered one shot on goal, won 5 of 12 draws and finished with an even rating in Wisconsin’s 5-4 loss to Penn State.
Kasper Puutio had one shot on goal, finished with an even rating and logged 15:14 of ice time in Kapat’s 2-1 loss to TPS Turku in Friday action from Finland’s Liiga.