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FHN TODAY: Florida Panthers Back Home – For a Hot Minute
The Florida Panthers made the long flight back from Las Vegas on Friday while their opponents from Vancouver, British Columbia, were waiting for them in sunny South Florida.
“They will have been in Florida longer than we have by the time we get there,’’ coach Paul Maurice said Thursday night after his team lost 3-2 to the Golden Knights. “But we’ve been good coming off the West Coast, so I’m not really worried about that.”
In a real quirk of the schedule, the Canucks have been on east coast time all week while the Panthers were visiting all three time zones.
But the Panthers are home.
For a minute or two, at least.
The Panthers came all the way back to Florida only to play Saturday night against the Canucks before heading right back to Fort Lauderdale International for a flight to Buffalo.
Of the Panthers’ next seven games, five are on the road — coming off a four-game road trip.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW
The Panthers moved Anton Lundell up to the left side of their top line with Sasha Barkov and Sam Reinhart in trying to get his offensive game back on track.
So far, it has looked pretty good.
— The Panthers come home to play the Canucks after losing a third-period lead Thursday night as they remain winless in Las Vegas.
— Casey Fitzgerald could make his Panthers’ debut tonight after joining the team in Vegas upon being claimed off waivers from the Sabres.
He would be the second member of the Fitzgerald family to do so if he does.
— Hear from Paul Maurice, Reinhart and Barkov following Thursday night’s game on the FHN YouTube Channel.
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NATIONAL HOCKEY NOW
In another shocking turn of events, Philadelphia Flyers coach John Tortorella really does not care what people think of him taking iPads off the bench.
Or on any other subject.
— Ville Husso will get the start in net for the Detroit Red Wings against Columbus.
— Alex Ovechkin had a bunch of kids attend Washington Capitals practice on Friday in a day they’ll likely never forget.
— Former Rangers and New York Islanders GM Neil Smith was back on Long Island.
— Jim Montgomery hopes the Boston Bruins get back in gear after a rough loss in Seattle.
PANTHERS ON DECK
VANCOUVER CANUCKS AT FLORIDA PANTHERS
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
- Where: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise
- TV/Streaming: Bally Sports Florida; ESPN+
- Radio: WPOW 96.5-FM2; WBZT 1230-AM (Palm Beach); WCTH 100.3-FM (Florida Keys); SiriusXM
- Panthers Radio Streaming: SiriusXM 932
- Last season: Florida won 2-0
- All-time regular season series: Vancouver leads 18-12-4, 6 ties
- Up Next for the Panthers: Monday at Buffalo, 1 p.m.