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