Fort Lauderdale – The cat is back in it.
The refreshed Florida Panthers took the ice for the first time on Thursday after a 5-1 victory over Ottawa Senators on February 8th as most of the team returned from a four-country showdown.
“It was a great break,” said Evan Rodriguez after practicing at the Baptist Health Iceplex. “Good family time. I’m happy to spend time with my kids and refresh myself not only physically but also mentally.”
The Panthers (71 points), which own a 34-20-3 record, are three points ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs (68 points) and five Tampa Bay Lightnings (65 points), and have the first spot in the Atlantic Division .
In the final 25 games of the season, the Panthers have 13 important matchups within the division.
An exciting playoff photo that can create a photo finish can be taken to the end.
“It’s been a really busy few years. It’s a huge thing to have 10 days and just resting and refresh our bodies,” Carter Werhege said. “We’re going to be really excited to be back for a playoff push.”
Once the push begins, the Panthers will face Seattle Kraken on Saturday at 6pm EST. Brandon Montor and Josh Mafra will return to Amerant Bank Arena for the first time since Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final in June.
4 Nations Face Off Championship
It all comes down to this.
The rematch between the United States and Matthew Tokachuk vs Canada, Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart.
ESPN’s 8pm ET, the last two countries play to be chosen as champions of four countries’ advocates.
The energetic and extremely intense first game at the first meeting on February 15th, Tkachuk began the game by dropping Brandon Hagel and Gloves before the US won 3-1.
“It’s very appealing,” coach Paul Maurice said. “We have players on each team and we’re really interested in playing and seeing the sights.”
Rather than a regular season tournament, the 4 Nations showdown certainly brought the juice.
“I think the game has definitely grown,” Rodriguez said of the tournament. “We’ve obviously got a lot of viewers, so we’re sure it’s the same tonight. Everything that expands the game is good for players, fans and those involved.”
Samoskevich Update
The break came at the perfect time for Mackie Samoskevich.
After suffering an upper body injury in Florida’s penultimate match before the break, the rookie should be back on the ice during today’s practice and play Seattle.
“We’re 100% ready,” Maurice said of Samoskevich’s status.
In the midst of his first full season in the NHL, Samoskevich, the Panthers’ 24th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, scored 17 points (8 goals, 9 assists) in 48 games .
After spending most of the season honing his skills in the fourth line, the Speedy Forward has discovered immediate chemistry with Sam Bennett since being promoted to the second line.
Over 150:30 on 5, the Panthers boast on ice, boasting 59.56 xgf% in their duo.
“I think we really like something,” Maurice said of the combination.
*Jameson Olive contributed to this article
