Panthers vs Hurricanes: A Highly Anticipated NHL Matchup
The Florida Panthers continue their season-long road trip with a crucial contest against one of the Eastern Conference’s elite, the Carolina Hurricanes, on Friday night. After securing back-to-back victories in Ottawa and Buffalo, the Panthers aim to conclude their road swing with another strong performance against the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes.
Panthers Return Home for Brief Respite
Benefitting from a three-day break in their schedule, the Panthers wisely utilized the time to return home to Fort Lauderdale for a couple of days. A robust practice session at the Baptist Health IcePlex saw nearly the entire team participate, signaling a positive outlook for the upcoming games.
Tkachuk and Marchand Nearing Return
Much of the team’s focus this week has been on the health of key forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand. Tkachuk is on the verge of making his regular season debut after recovering from offseason adductor and sports hernia surgery. Marchand, while sporting a non-contact jersey during Wednesday’s practice, actively participated in most drills. The potential return of either, or both, players would significantly bolster the Panthers’ offensive capabilities. Should Tkachuk be deemed fit to play, the team will need to make a corresponding roster move.
Season Series History
Friday’s game marks the third and final meeting between the Panthers and Hurricanes this season. Remarkably, Florida has emerged victorious in both previous encounters. On December 19th, the Panthers orchestrated a stunning comeback, overcoming a 3-0 deficit with less than 10 minutes remaining to win 4-3 in a shootout – a franchise first. Four days later, they secured a 5-2 victory in Raleigh, rallying from a 2-0 hole entering the third period. These wins demonstrate the Panthers’ resilience and ability to compete with the Hurricanes.
Hurricanes Look to Rebound
Carolina enters Friday’s matchup having suffered consecutive losses. They’ll be eager to avoid a third straight defeat and maintain their lead in the competitive Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes will undoubtedly be looking for a strong response on home ice.
Projected Lines and Pairings
Here are the Panthers’ projected lines and pairings for Friday’s game in Carolina:
- Forwards:
- Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Sam Reinhart
- Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Brad Marchand
- Mackie Samoskevich – Evan Rodrigues – A.J. Greer
- Jesper Boqvist – Luke Kunin – Jack Studnicka
- Defense:
- Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad
- Niko Mikkola – Uvis Balinskis
- Donovan Sebrango – Jeff Petry
Latest News from The Hockey News – Florida
- Tobias Bjornfot And Jack Devine Selected As Charolette Checkers AHL All-Star Game Representatives
- Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers to visit White House for second straight year
- Niko Mikkola Misses Practice; Deemed Healthy And Available For Panthers’ Next Game
- Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand practice with Panthers, nearing return to lineup
- Can The Panthers’ Strength Of Schedule Help Them Make The Playoffs?
Image caption: Jan 12, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; The Florida Panthers celebrate a win over the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)
