Golden Knights start 5-game journey towards Florida Panthers

The Golden Knights start a five-game highway journey, tied for his or her longest of the season, Tuesday towards an opponent preventing to get into the playoffs.

The Florida Panthers are three factors out of a wild-card spot with 18 video games remaining. Which means their 4 p.m. matchup with the Knights carries loads of weight, as a result of it gained’t take many extra slip-ups for the Panthers to fall out of the postseason image.

“They’re taking part in for a playoff spot tonight,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo mentioned. “These are the elevated atmospheres we have to prepare for.”

Florida is a harmful opponent for the Knights, who’ve gained three straight to carry onto their lead within the Pacific Division and Western Convention standings. The Panthers are additionally weak.

Coach Bruce Cassidy labeled Florida “a high-activity staff” as a result of it ranks eighth in targets per sport and twenty third in targets towards. Issues at all times appear to be taking place when the Panthers are on the ice.

The Knights realized that of their first matchup. They fell behind 2-1 within the second interval, however rallied to attain three straight targets within the third and win 4-2.

“Their D will take extra possibilities to create,” Cassidy mentioned. “Consequently, they’ll hand over some possibilities due to that.”

The Knights have purpose to be assured they will take benefit. They’re 9-1-2 for the reason that All-Star break whereas outscoring opponents 43-29. They introduced in assist on the commerce deadline, with left wing Ivan Barbashev becoming a member of middle Jack Eichel and proper wing Jonathan Marchessault to kind a formidable first line.

Barbashev has five points in his first four games with the team.

“He’s the form of man that does all the things proper on the market,” Marchessault mentioned. “Performs arduous. Makes good performs on the proper time. He’s bodily. He’s good in all places on the ice.”

Lineup and beginning goaltender data was not instantly out there for the Knights. Sergei Bobrovsky is predicted to start out at goalie for the Panthers.

Knights at Panthers (4 p.m.)

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: KKGK (98.9 FM, 1340 AM)

Line: Panthers -160; whole 6½

Knights report: 38-19-6

Panthers report: 31-27-6

Head-to-head: Knights 1-0-0

Contact Ben Gotz at [email protected] Observe @BenSGotz on Twitter.