Jets Vs. Panthers Recap: Florida Holds On For 2-1 Win Over Winnipeg

The Florida Panthers maintained their lead in the Southeast Division on Friday night, reaching 59 points for the season with a 2-1 win over division foe Winnipeg. The Jets were playing their second game in as many nights, as they caught the Panthers on the second leg of the Florida swing after winning in overtime against Tampa Bay.

Kris Versteeg opened the scoring in the first period with his 20th goal of a season, a power play strike that beat Jets' goalie Chris Mason. On an Andrew Ladd feed, Bryan Little evened it for Winnipeg midway through the second period but the tie was short-lived. Sean Bergenheim put Florida back in front just three minutes later, with a blast for his eighth of the season. The Panthers would kill off a late penalty, and Scott Clemmensen would stop 20 of 21 shots for the win.

The Panthers now travel across the state to face the Lightning on Saturday night.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Panthers, visit SB Nation's Cats blog, Litter Box Cats. For the opponent's perspective, visit Artic Ice Hockey, SB Nation's Winnipeg Jets blog. For all your NHL news and analysis, be sure to visit SB Nation's NHL news hub.

Winnipeg Jets Visit Florida Panthers: Starting Lineups And Injury Report

Injuries:

Panthers:

Ed Jovanovski had surgery on his hand as is not expected back before the middle of March.

Scottie Upshall had surgery for a sports hernia yesterday and is expected back near the end of March.

Jacob Markstrom had a knee surgery and is not expected to play again until sometime next month.

Dmitry Kulikov is out until next month, recuperating a knee surgery.

Jack Skille is resting his shoulder and may play tomorrow against the Lightning.

Kris Versteeg is day-to-day with the Flu.

Jets:

Evander Kane sustained a concussion on January 20th and is not expected back soon.

Tim Stapleton is out with a lower body injury.

Starting Lineups:

Panthers:

Forwards:

Fleischmann - Weiss - Versteeg

Bergenheim - Goc - Samuelsson

Santorelli - Matthias - Kopecky

Bradley - Madden - Barch

Defensemen:

Campbell - Gudbranson

Weaver - Garrison

Ellerby - Strachan

Goalie:

Scott Clemmensen (7-2-5) will probably get the start tonight with Brian Foster maybe getting tomorrow's start in Tampa Bay.

Jets:

Forwards:

Ladd - Little - Wheeler

Fehr - Antropov - Wellwood

Glass - Slater - Thorburn

Burmistrov - Gagnon - Miettinen

Defensemen:

Enstrom - Byfuglien

Hainsey - Bogosian

Stuart - Oduya

Goalie:

Ondrej Pavelec started last night, so it's likely the Panthers face backup Chris Mason tonight.

Winnipeg Jets Visit Florida Panthers: Facts And Figures

For the second consecutive game, the Panthers are facing a team on the second night of back-to-back games with the first game an overtime matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts took care of the Caps on Tuesday in overtime, 4-3 before Florida defeated them in regulation, 4-2. Last night the Jets won an overtime matchup with the Bolts, 2-1. Ironically, tonight the Jets are softening the Panthers up for a game tomorrow night in Tampa Bay.

Common Thread:

Panthers defenseman Mike Weaver played 57 games over three seasons for the team when they were still based out of Atlanta. He tallied six assists with a minus-six rating and 30 penalty minutes.

Jets left winger Tanner Glass played 44 games for Florida over two seasons, scoring one goal and one assist with a minus-five rating and 46 penalty minutes.

Jets left winger Kenndal McArdle played 33 games over three seasons for the Panthers, scoring one goal and two assists with a minus-eight rating and 47 penalty minutes.

Team Milestones:

Games: Shawn Matthias will pass Branislav Mezei tonight with his 175th Panther game, moving him into 46th.

Goals: With Kris Versteeg's next goal, he will have 20 with Florida, good enough for 49th all-time, tying Bob Kudelski and Jason Garrison. Speaking of Garrison, 21 goals will move him into a tie with Brett McLean in 48th. Shawn Matthias next goal will be number 25, tying Mike Van Ryn in 45th. Mike Santorelli's 27th will tie him with Gary Roberts in 42nd.

Team Leaders:

Goals:

Kris Versteeg - 19

Tomas Fleischmann - 16

Stephen Weiss, Jason Garrison - 13

Assists:

Brian Campbell - 33

Stephen Weiss - 25

Kris Versteeg - 24

Points:

Kris Versteeg - 43

Stephen Weiss - 38

Tomas Fleischmann - 37

+/-

Stephen Weiss - plus-11

Kris Versteeg - plus-10

Jason Garrison - plus-6

Winnipeg Jets Visit Florida Panthers: Game 50 Preview

After taking care of the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, can the Panthers continue their good fortune against the Southeast Division at home against the Winnipeg Jets tonight?