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.