The Florida Panthers will take on the Ottawa Senators for the final time this season tonight in Sunrise. The two clubs, who will become division rivals next season, have not faced off against each other since two match-ups all the way back in January. The Senators handed the Panthers their first loss of the campaign on January 21st with a 4-0 shutout win in Canada’s capital city. A rematch three days later here at the BB&T Center resulted in a 3-1 Ottawa win. Craig Anderson backstopped both victories for the Sens.
The Panthers will be looking to bounce from last night’s 4-3 home loss to the Washington Capitals. The defeat snapped a season-high, three-game winning streak. The Senators, currently 6th in Eastern Conference, enter tonight’s tilt losers of three-straight games, including Friday night’s 4-2 loss to the Sabres in Buffalo.
A few things to look out for tonight:
Florida’s Jonathan Huberdeau and Ottawa’s Cory Conacher will be looking to shine as each makes a final push for the Calder Trophy.
Ottawa netminder Craig Anderson, who last played on February 21st, could return to action tonight.
Shawn Matthias will look to continue his recent run of dominant play. Matthias has 7 points in his last five games, including two helpers last night.
- In NHL news, as expected, Michigan will be getting next season’s Winter Classic, featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. Can you say attendance record?
For all things Senators, pay a visit to our pals over at Silver Seven. Our earlier-than-usual LBC GameThread should get fired up around 5:30.