Kings Vs. Panthers: Florida Back In First Place After 3-1 Win Over Los Angeles

The Florida Panthers are back in first place in the Southeast Division, after defeating the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 on Thursday night at Bank Atlantic Center. The Cats and Washington Capitals are tied with 61 points each, but with Florida having played one less game, the Panthers move back into first in the division and the three spot in the playoff race.

After being shutout in Washington on Tuesday, the Panthers finally broke through in the second period when Sean Bergenheim and Mike Santorelli spotted Kevin Dineen's club a two-goal lead. Florida is undefeated this season when taking a multi-goal lead into the final period, and that held up on Thursday.

Drew Doughty cut the lead in half for LA with a little under three minutes to play, as he beat Scott Clemmensen on a feed from Anze Kopitar. But that would be all for the Kings, as Matt Bradley added and empty netter to seal the deal. Florida will look to carry over the momentum on Saturday in New Jersey when they face the Devils.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Panthers, check out Litter Box Cats, SB Nation's Florida Panthers blog. For more on the Los Angeles Kings perspective, visitJewels from the Crown, SB Nation's Kings blog. For all your NHL news, visit SB Nation's hockey hub.

Kings Vs. Panthers Score Update: Florida On The Board In Second Period, Take 2-0 Lead

Looking to get back on the winning track, the Florida Panthers broke a scoreless tie less than seven minutes into the second period to take a 1-0 lead. Sean Bergenheim netted his 10th goal of the season, taking a feed from Marcel Goc to beat Jonathan Quick. After being shut out by Tomas Vokoun and the Capitals on Tuesday, the Bergenheim goal was a welcome sight for the Panthers.

Florida then extended the lead with under three minutes remaining in the period. Mike Santorelli added his seventh of the season. The Cats have not lost a game this season when leading by two with only one period to play. Florida will also start the third period with a man advantage, as the Kings look to kill off more than a minute and a half of a Trent Hunter penalty.

For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Panthers, check out Litter Box Cats, SB Nation's Florida Panthers blog. For more on the Los Angeles Kings perspective, visit Jewels from the Crown, SB Nation's Kings blog. For all your NHL news, visit SB Nation's hockey hub.

Florida Panthers Host Los Angeles Kings: Teams Locked In Scoreless Tie After One

The Panthers couldn't get anything going early, letting the Kings get the first three shots on goal. The Panthers would be forced to go on the penalty kill at the seven minute mark when Tomas Kopecky was called for tripping Trevor Lewis. The Kings kept the pressure on Scott Clemmensen for the first minute, but the Panthers cleared it out three times, the last time getting a shorthanded shot on goal (their first shot of the game), to bring the Kings power play to a close.

The Kings again went on the power play at the 11 minute mark as Stephen Weiss was called for hooking Matt Greene. Florida killed off the penalty, as Scott Clemmensen made two big saves and the skaters cleared the puck out four more times.

The Kings continued their assault on Scott Clemmensen, collecting three shots on goal in one shift, keeping the Cats backed up against their own net for almost 90 seconds at even strength.

Hits: The teams were pretty even on hits, with the Kings edging out the Panthers, 11-9

Blocked Shots: The Panthers faced a lot more pressure in their zone than did the Kings, and it shows on the blocked shot totals, with the Panthers up, 8-2.

Faceoffs: Florida is outworking Los Angeles in the faceoff circle, 12-7.

Shots On Goal: Los Angeles 11, Florida 5

Score: Kings 0, Panthers 0

Los Angeles Kings Visit Florida Panthers: Starting Lineups And Injury Report

Florida Panthers:

Injury Report:

Ed Jovanovski had surgery on his hand two weeks ago, is currently skating, and expected back in March. Scottie Upshall had hernia surgery last week and is expected back at the end of March. Jacob Markstrom had knee surgery and is expected to return next week. Dmitry Kulikov had knee surgery two weeks ago, and is out until March. Jack Skille was put back on the injured list with a shoulder problem but may return any time. Marco Sturm had knee surgery this past Monday and is expected to be out until March. Jose Theodore has been out since before the All-Star break with a sore knee, but may be back this weekend.

Starting Lineup:

Forwards:

Tomas Fleischmann - Stephen Weiss - Kris Versteeg

Sean Bergenheim - Marcel Goc - Mikael Samuelsson

Mike Santorelli - Shawn Matthias - Krys Barch

Matt Bradley - John Madden - Tomas Kopecky

Defensemen:

Brian Campbell - Eric Gudbranson

Jason Garrison - Mike Weaver

Tyson Strachan - Keaton Ellerby

Goalie:

Scott Clemmensen will start the game, with Jose Theodore available on the bench.

Los Angeles Kings:

Injury Report:

Simon Gagne is out indefinitely with a concussion. Scott Parse is on the injured reserve list and is not expected back this season.

Starting Lineup:

Forwards:

Dustin Brown - Anze Kopitar - Justin Williams

Dustin Penner - Mike Richards - Jarrett Stoll

Kyle Clifford - Andrei Loktionov - Trevor Lewis

Brad Richardson - Colin Fraser - Trent Hunter

Defensemen:

Rob Scuderi - Drew Doughty

Willie Mitchell - Jack Johnson

Matt Greene - Alec Martinez

Goalie:

A goalie has not been confirmed, but the Panthers are expecting to face Jonathan Quick.

Panthers Vs. Kings: Game Time, TV Schedule, Radio And More

The Florida Panthers host the Los Angeles Kings Thursday, in a game that will feature to teams battling for playoffs spots in two separate NHL conferences. The Panthers are two points behind the final playoff spot for the Eastern Conference, while the Kings slotted in the seventh spot in the Western Conference.

The Panthers have lost three straight home games against the Kings, who owns a seven-game winning streak over Florida.

For those who'd like to catch the game, here's the game time, TV information and links to the radio streams.

Location: BankAtlantic Center
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. on EST
TV Channel: Fox Sports Florida
Announcers: Steve Goldstein (play-by-play), Bill Lindsay (anaylst)
Panthers Radio: 560 WQAM
Announcers: Randy Moller (play-by-play)
Panthers-Kings line: Kings (-125)

For more on Panthers hockey, check out the SB Nation blog Litter Box Cats.

Los Angeles Kings Visit Florida Panthers: Facts And Figures

The Panthers sit in a dangerous spot tonight. On the verge of possibly their first three game losing streak of the season and on the outside looking in on the Eastern Conference playoff picture, in the ninth slot. They have to bring it if they are going to compete with the Los Angeles Kings, who currently sit in seventh in the Western Conference.

Common Thread:

Panthers defenseman Mike Weaver played in 92 games from 2005-2007 with the Kings, scoring three goals and 15 assists with a minus-seven rating and 30 penalty minutes.

Panthers forward Marco Sturm played in 17 games for the Kings last season, scoring four goals and five assists with a plus-six rating and 17 penalty minutes.

Panthers Milestones:

Games: Defenseman Keaton Ellerby will play in his 100th Panther game tonight. Jason Garrison will play in his 166th game, moving him past Cory Stillman into 49th.

Goals: Jason Garrison and Kris Versteeg are tied for 49th all-time with 20 goals. Brett McLean is in 48th with 21. Shawn Matthias is tied in 46th with Dave Gagner, with 24 goals. Mike Van Ryn sits in 45th, with 25. Mike Santorelli is in 44th, with 26 goals, one more will move him into a tie for 42nd with Mike Hough and Gary Roberts.

Team Leaders:

Goals:

Kris Versteeg - 20

Tomas Fleischmann - 17

Stephen Weiss, Jason Garrison - 13

Assists:

Brian Campbell - 34

Stephen Weiss, Kris Versteeg - 25

Points:

Kris Versteeg - 45

Tomas Fleischmann, Stephen Weiss - 38

Plus/Minus:

Stephen Weiss - plus-8

Kris Versteeg - plus-7

Jason Garrison - plus-six

Check back later for an injury report and starting lineups. In the meantime, if you need more Panthers, check out Litter Box Cats, or for the Los Angeles Kings take, visit Jewels from the Crown.

Los Angeles Kings Visit Florida Panthers: Game 53 Preview

Florida hopes to avoid their season's first three game losing streak tonight at the BAC against the Los Angeles Kings.