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GameDay CaterThread: Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens

2023-03-30T14:06:05-04:00

Litter Box Cats 2022-23 Live Discussion Forum: Game 76

Panthers (37-31-7 81P) vs Canadiens (30-39-6 66P)

What a difference a day makes! After coming off the mat last night in Toronto, the Florida Panthers have an opportunity to move back into the final wild card spot when they visit the Montreal Canadiens tonight at Bell Centre. The Panthers ended an ugly four-game losing streak with a miraculous 3-2 overtime win over the Maple Leafs to pull within a point of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will host the equally desperate Nashville Predators tonight. The Canadiens will be looking to get one against the Cats to close the season series, which Florida has dominated thus far. Montreal won two in a row before dropping a 3-2 decision in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: Belle Centre - Montreal, PQ
ON THE TUBE: Bally Sports Florida, RDS, TSN2
ON THE DIAL: 560 WQAM (D/B), 1230 The Gambler (PB), Thunder 100.3 (Keys)
SOCIALS: #TimeToHunt, #GoHabsGo, #FLAvsMTL, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
ENEMY INTEL: Eyes On The Prize
FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 4 of 4 (3-0-0)
LAST MEETING: @FLA 9, MTL 5 - (Recap) 3/16/2023
NEXT MEETING: 2023-24 regular season
PROJECTED STARTERS: Alex Lyon (4-3-1 .891/3.82 0SO) vs Sam Montembeault (15-14-3 .905/3.28 0SO)
PLAYER STATS: Florida / Montreal

Thursday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances):

Columbus (23-43-7 53P) at BOSTON (57-12-5 119P) 7 p.m.
Philadelphia (29-32-12 70P) at OTTAWA (36-33-5 71P) 7 p.m.
Washington (34-32-9 77P) at TAMPA BAY (43-26-6 92P) 7 p.m.
Carolina (47-17-9 103P) at DETROIT (32-32-9 73P) 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+, Hulu)

Idle: TOR (98P), BUF (77P)

Panthers, SoFla Media & Loyal Opposition on the Tweets

A Twitter List by LitterBoxCats

Lyon eyes wild card as Panthers stun Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime

2023-03-30T08:07:43-04:00

Photo by Michael Chisholm/NHLI via Getty Images

Brandon Montour sets two franchise records with game-winning goal

Brandon Montour’s game-winning goal set a new franchise record (63) for points by a defenseman as the Florida Panthers rallied for a miraculous 3-2 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.

In addition to Montour’s fine finish, stick taps to third string goalie Alex Lyon. Lyon filled in for an ill Sergei Bobrovsky and stopped 38 shots, including a stellar glove save on Auston Matthews in overtime and denying Zach Aston-Reese on a second period penalty shot, to guide his outplayed club to a massive victory.

LYON KING

→ https://t.co/2C9H1bedP1 @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/O5jEAwl5To
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 30, 2023

The Panthers opened the scoring one-minute after puck drop when Eetu Luostarinen came up with a turnover in the slot and found Anton Lundell, who quickly buried it for his tenth of the season and first of the month of March.

Lundy isn't messing around

Bally Sports+ is a new option to watch Panthers games. Learn more here ➡️ https://t.co/8va8dYUOxV @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/0Fm6sSUmUr
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 29, 2023

After the goal, the Cats reverted to their usual first period lethargy, but Lyon got them to the dressing room with the lead by making 14 saves.

Aston-Reese knotted the score 3:13 into the second period. Wayne Simmonds reversed the puck around the back boards to the left point to T.J. Brodie, who blasted a shot that Aston-Reese deflected past a helpless Lyon.

The dangerous Matthews would pot the go-ahead goal at the 6:40 mark of the third. Mitch Marner made a fantastic play below the goal line to take possession of a loose puck while on his knees and then made a perfect pass to Matthews, who hammered a one-timer into the back of the net from just above the left circle.

With time running out on the game, and perhaps their season, a hooking call on Mark Giordano gave the needy Panthers the break they needed to eventually halt its season-high four-game losing streak.

The Cats pulled Lyon and equalized with one-minute remaining in regulation when after taking a feed from Carter Verhaeghe, Aaron Ekblad went point-to-point to Montour and his shot was deftly tipped home by Sam Reinhart.

WANNA SEE A CLUTCH REINO?

Bally Sports+ is a new option to watch Panthers games. Learn more here ➡️ https://t.co/8va8dYUOxV @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/pAsG4JqbKk
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 30, 2023

Shortly after Lyon flat-out robbed Matthews, Reinhart chipped to Aleksander Barkov to send the captain and Montour up the ice on a 2-on-1 break. Barkov calmly cruised towards the net and then sent the puck past Morgan Rielly to Montour, who rapped it past a diving Ilya Samsonov 1:41 into the extra session.

SAY IT WITH US NOW:

LET'S. GO. HOME. BAYBEEEEE ️@FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/0Rd5Vn0LvH
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 30, 2023

The comeback win pulled the Panthers within a point of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Penguins now holding a game in hand. Florida will head east to take on the Montreal Canadiens while Pittsburgh will host the desperate Nashville Predators at PPG Paints Arena tonight. As unlikely as it seemed going into the Toronto game. a Panthers win and Penguins loss would see the Cats back in a playoff spot before the night is over. What a wacky season this has been...

Rakes & Bags

Brandon Montour’s late game heroics gave him 63 points on the season to pass Keith Yandle for the most points by a defenseman in franchise history. His goal was his fifth game-winner, pushing him past Aaron Ekblad for the most in a season by a Panthers defenseman. I’d say that’s First Star worthy.
Ilya Samsonov couldn’t stop Montour’s overtime goal, but he did stop 26 other shots to help his team earn a point, giving them a six-point cushion on Tampa Bay for second place.
Florida’s special teams came up huge with the penalty kill going a perfect four-for-four on the night and the power play coming up with the late game-tying goal.
Mitch Marner’s highlight reel helper extended his point streak to 11 games. Marner has amassed six goals and 12 assists during the heater.
Anton Lundell had gone 12 games without a point before he opened the scoring. The marker gave the NHL sophomore back-to-back season with double-digit goals.
Zach Aston-Reese scored on a sweet deflection, drew a penalty shot, had three hits and matched Auston Matthews and Ekblad with a game-high five shots on goal. Nice game!
For more on the Cats first win over the Buds this season, stop by Pension Plan Puppets.

GameThread: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs

2023-03-29T16:40:40-04:00

Litter Box Cats 2022-23 Live Discussion Forum: Game 75

Panthers (36-31-7 79P) at Maple Leafs (44-20-9 97P)

FLA in Season Series: Game 3 of 4 (0-1-1) - LBC Caterwaul
PLAYER STATS: Florida / Toronto
Where: Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON
When: 7:30 p.m. ET
Watch: Bally Sports Florida, TVAS, SN
Listen: Panthers Radio Network
Enemy Intel: Pension Plan Puppets
Socials: #TimeToHunt, #LeafsForever, #FLAvsTOR, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
Expected starters: Florida: Bobrovsky (24-20-3 3.07) / Toronto: Samsonov (24-9-3 2.46)

Wednesday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances):

Idle: BOS (119P), TBL (92P), BUF (77P), OTT (77P), DET (73P), MTL (66P)

GameDay Caterwaul: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs

2023-03-29T07:40:04-04:00

Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images

Cats must take advantage of Penguins loss in Detroit

The struggling Florida Panthers (36-31-7) will be looking to gain ground on the Pittsburgh Penguins when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs (44-20-9) tonight at Scotiabank Arena. After getting shredded in Ottawa on Monday, the Penguins kept the Cats in the race by dropping a 7-4 decision to the Red Wings last night. The rested Maple Leafs have all but wrapped up second place in the Atlantic Division and beat Nashville in their last outing on Sunday.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON
ON THE TUBE: Bally Sports Florida, TVAS, SN
ON THE DIAL: 96.5 WPOW-FM HD2 (D/B), 1230 The Gambler (PB), Thunder 100.3 (Keys)
SOCIALS: #TimeToHunt, #LeafsForever, #FLAvsTOR, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
ENEMY INTEL: Pension Plan Puppets
FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 3 of 4 (0-1-1)
LAST MEETING: TOR 6, FLA 2 - (Recap) 3/23/2023
NEXT MEETING: April 10, 2023
PROJECTED STARTERS: Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3 .901/3.07 1SO) vs Ilya Samsonov (24-9-3 .914/2.46 3SO)
PLAYER STATS: Florida / Toronto

Wednesday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances):

Idle: BOS (119P), TBL (92P), BUF (77P), OTT (77P), DET (73P), MTL (66P)

Panthers, SoFla Media & Loyal Opposition on the Tweets

A Twitter List by LitterBoxCats

Canadian tire fire: Penalties kill Panthers in 5-2 loss to Senators

2023-03-28T08:07:54-04:00

Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images

Brady out-Tkachuks Matthew as Cats drop fourth straight

The Florida Panthers surrendered three power-play goals in a devastating 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre as the club’s losing streak hit four games.

Ottawa’s power play clicked once in each period with Derick Brassard scoring late in the first (18:55), Alex DeBrincat late in second (19:22) and Tim Stutzle put the game away late in the third, scoring with 2:23 left in regulation to give the Senators a 4-2 cushion.

Brady Tkachuk, who assisted on DeBrincar’s goal, opened the scoring 9:02 into the first period and Shane Pinto clinched it with an unassisted empty-netter after a gift from Brandon Montour.

The Panthers put 34 shots on rookie goaltender Mads Soogard, but the towering 22-year-old Dane was up to the task, stopping 32 of the them to collect his seventh win of the season.

Defenseman Gustav Forsling was the only Cat that found the back of the net.

Forsling cut Ottawa’s lead to 2-1 5:58 into the second by ripping home a bounce pass off the boards from Sam Reinhart to establish a new career high with his 11th goal of the season. Eric Staal drew the secondary assist on the play.

Staying aliveee

Bally Sports+ is a new option to watch Panthers games. Learn more here ➡️ https://t.co/8va8dYUOxV @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/VeErloadSb
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 28, 2023

Forsling scored his second of the night at the 9:15 mark of the final frame with the Senators up by a 3-1 count. After Matthew Tkachuk fed Eetu Luostarinen in the right circle, he dished over to Aaron Ekblad, who teed up Forsling for a bomb from center point.

Gus putting the team on his back tho ‍

Bally Sports+ is a new option to watch Panthers games. Learn more here ➡️ https://t.co/8va8dYUOxV @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/maLSEzYv9A
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 28, 2023

A delay of game call on Anton Lundell put Ottawa on their fourth power play of the night which culminated in Stutzle’s clinching one-timer off a pass from Travis Hamonic.

In a hugely important outing, the Panthers started slow yet again (five shots in the first period), went 0-for-4 on the power play, went 1-for-4 on the penalty kill and only won 45% of the game’s face-offs. That’s just unacceptable in a game of this magnitude. The Cats look dead in the water and will need to reach down deep if they want to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday,

Law & Order

Gustav Forsling scored twice and matched Matthew Tkachuk, Shane Pinto and Travis Hamonic with a game-high five shots to earn Second Star honors. Forsling’s third period goal established a new career-high in points (38) for the 26-year-old former waiver claim.
Aleksander Barkov saw his ten-game point streak come to end. Barkov played 22:32, but only managed one shot on goal to go with two hits and two blocks. The captain also had an uncharacteristically bad night on draws, winning just 43%.
While his brother was held off the score sheet for the second straight game, Brady Tkachuk was named First Star by the Ottawa media for collecting two points, three shots and a hit.
The Panthers continued being giving to former players this season with Derick Brassard tallying a goal and Claude Giroux picking up an assist.
Overworked Sergei Bobrovsky gave up four goals on 25 shots and suffered his 20th loss of the campaign. Bobrovsky has surrendered four or more goals in three straight and in five of his last seven outings.
The Senators evened the series series with the Cats. For more stop by Silver Seven Sens.

GameThread: Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators

2023-03-27T17:12:33-04:00

Litter Box Cats 2022-23 Live Discussion Forum: Game 74

Panthers (36-30-7 79P) at Senators (35-33-5 75P)

FLA in Season Series: Game 2 of 3 (1-0-0) - LBC Caterwaul
PLAYER STATS: Florida / Ottawa
Where: Canadian Tire Centre - Kanata, ON
When: 7:00 p.m. ET
Watch: Bally Sports Florida, SN1, SNO, SNW, RDS2
Listen: Panthers Radio Network
Enemy Intel: Silver Seven Sens
Socials: #TimeToHunt, #GoSensGo, #FLAvsOTT, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
Expected starters: Florida: Bobrovsky (24-19-3 3.02) / Ottawa: Sogaard (6-5-2 3.27)

Monday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances):

MONTREAL (29-38-6 64P) at BUFFALO (35-31-5 76P) 7 p.m.

Idle: BOS (119P), TOR (97P), TBL (90P), DET (71P)

GameDay Caterwaul: Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators

2023-03-27T07:43:56-04:00

Photo by André Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images

Cats need to start off road trip with a bang

The Florida Panthers (36-30-7) open a pivotal four-game road trip tonight when they visit the Ottawa Senators (35-33-5) at Canadian Tire Centre. After finally pulling into a wild card spot, the Panthers have lost three straight and now trail the Pittsburgh Penguins by three points after the results of Saturday’s games that saw the Cats lose 4-3 to the New York Rangers and Penguins beat the Washington Capitals by the same score. While still mathematically in the hunt, the Senators would need a miracle of epic proportions to make the postseason. Ottawa was beaten 5-3 by the New Jersey Devils in its last outing.

WHEN: 7 p.m. ET
WHERE: Canadian Tire Centre - Kanata, ON
ON THE TUBE: Bally Sports Florida, SN1, SNO, SNW, RDS2
ON THE DIAL: 560 WQAM (D/B), 1230 The Gambler (PB), Thunder 100.3 (Keys)
SOCIALS: #TimeToHunt, #GoSensGo, #FLAvsOTT, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook
ENEMY INTEL: Silver Seven Sens
FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 2 of 3 (1-0-0)
LAST MEETING: FLA 5, OTT 3 - (Recap) 10/29/2022
NEXT MEETING: April 6, 2023
PROJECTED STARTERS: Sergei Bobrovsky (24-19-3 .902/3.05 1SO) vs Mads Sogaard (6-5-2 .890/3.27 0SO)
PLAYER STATS: Florida / Ottawa

Monday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances):

MONTREAL (29-38-6 64P) at BUFFALO (35-31-5 76P) 7 p.m.

Idle: BOS (119P), TOR (97P), TBL (90P), DET (71P)

Panthers, SoFla Media & Loyal Opposition on the Tweets

A Twitter List by LitterBoxCats

The Kids are alright as mistake-prone Panthers fall 4-3 to Rangers

2023-03-26T07:55:32-04:00

Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Cats drop third straight, trail Penguins by three points

Aleksander Barkov scored twice, but it wasn’t enough as the hockey gods favored the New York Rangers in the third period and the Broadway Blueshirts pulled out a 4-3 win over the fading Cats, who have dropped three straight.

The Panthers played an impressive first period, getting goals from Barkov and Ryan Lomberg and limiting the red-hot Rangers to just three shots on goal.

Barkov opened the scoring at 9:15 when he dove to knock in the rebound of a Gustav Forsling bomb that came after Matthew Tkachuk fed back to the defenseman at the left point. Anthony Duclair took a whack at the puck before Barkov put it home to earn the primary assist.

Oh Captain my Captain

Bally Sports+ is a new option to watch Panthers games. Learn more here ➡️ https://t.co/mZPjUpLzqE @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/jrXzrdEJJY
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) March 25, 2023

After Lomberg took a shot that struck Nick Cousins in the slot, Artemi Panarin turned it over to an incoming Marc Staal. Staal dropped the puck back to Lomberg in the left circle and he slapped it by Jaroslav Halak at the 14:46 mark.

Saturday 's with the Lomborghini!

Bally Sports+ is a new option to watch Panthers games. Learn more here ➡️ https://t.co/8va8dYUOxV @FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/7kalu5pJkQ
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 25, 2023

The second period was all Rangers as they outshot the Panthers 22-9 and scored a pair of goals to even the score,

Kaapo Kakko made a nice play at the blue line to keep the Cats from exiting their zone, swatting the puck to Filip Chytil, who ate Josh Mahura alive before dishing off to Alexis Lafreniere. Lafreniere went right back to Chytil in front and he was denied by Sergei Bobrovsky. Unfortunately, Bobrovsky couldn’t handle the rebound and Kakko jammed in it at 8:50.

Lafreniere would get a goal of his own with a 1:45 left in the frame, After taking a beautiful crossing pass from Jacob Trouba, Lafreniere pulled the puck to his backhand to get by Ryan Lomberg and beat Bobrovsky short-side. Tyler Motte collected the secondary helper on the highlight reel display from the first overall pick in 2020.

The Rangers got some puck luck on the go-ahead goal that came 1:22 into the third. Patrick Kane lugged the vulcanized rubber into the Florida zone and his pass attempt to Vincent Trocheck was blocked by Brandon Montour. Inexplicably, Montour gave the puck right back to Kane, who sent it in front for Panarin, where it was deflected in by Carter Verhaeghe. Not one, but two self-inflicted wounds, giving Kane his 450th career goal and the visitors the lead.

Florida would shoot themselves in the collective foot again 4:56 later. Kakko bounced the puck off the side boards and Aaron Ekblad largely whiffed on his attempt to play it, springing Chytil, who broke in on Bobrovksy and easily finished low to the blocker side.

Barkov would get another gritty goal to close the gap 42 seconds later. The captain won an offensive zone draw and went to the net, where he punched in a wraparound pass from behind the net from Verhaeghe.

Aleksander Barkov is putting the @FlaPanthers on his back

→ https://t.co/P0uPfX4A46 #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/wzHWA1GC0Z
— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) March 25, 2023

That’s as close as the Cats would get as the veteran Halak, who finished with 31 saves, would shut the door the rest of the way. Halak came up big with stops on Montour and Reinhart as time was running out.

Florida has only themselves to blame as they made grevious puck management errors on three of New York’s four goals and Bobrovsky wasn’t able to bail them out. After a stellar opening period, they let the Rangers take over the game and reel off four straight goals. The loss, coupled with the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals, leaves the Panthers three points out of a playoff spot with just nine games to go in the season.

Bulls & Bears

Aleksander Barkov extended his point streak to ten games with his game-opening goal. Barkov’s second maker was his 20th of the season. That’s eight seasons in a row with at least 20 goals for Florida’s franchise-leading scorer.
The Rangers “Kid Line” of Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere each had a goal and an assist and went plus-three during the game. Chytil matched Patrick Kane and Anthony Duclair with a game-high five shots on goal.
Speaking of Kane, he now has 1,233 points (450G/783A), passing Phil Housley for second by a United States-born player in NHL history. Kane is up to 20 goals this season, becoming the third U.S.-born player to reach the mark at least 15 times, joining Mike Modano (16) and Keith Tkachuk (15).
Sergei Bobrovsky saw a lot of rubber, finishing with 38 saves on 42 shots. Bobrovsky lost consecutive starts for the first time since we flipped the calendar to 2023.
Matthew Tkachuk had his goal streak end at six games and his point streak end at seven games. Tkachuk registered four shots on goal and a hit in 20:44 TOI.
Carter Verhaeghe has amassed four goals and 11 points on his now eight game point streak. His assist on Barkov’s third period goal was his 30th of the campaign, a first for the 27-year-old forward.
The Rangers swept the season series from the Panthers. Read more about it at Blueshirt Banter.