Latest news with #2026WinterClassic
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
3 Panthers Who Must Shine In Game 5 vs. Hurricanes
After losing Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes by a 3-0 final score, the Florida Panthers will be looking to turn things back around in Game 5. A win in Game 5 would be massive for the Panthers, as it would punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row. If the Panthers hope to pick up a win in Game 5, they will need these three players to step up for them for it. Matthew Tkachuk will undoubtedly be a Panther to keep a very close eye on in Game 5. The star winger was held off the scoresheet and had a minus-2 rating in Game 4 and will now look to heat back up in Game 5. Tkachuk is well-known for being clutch during the playoffs, and the Panthers will be hoping he is just that for them in this significant Game 5 from here. In four games so far this series against Carolina, the 2016 first-round pick has one goal, five points, and a plus-2 rating. Aleksander Barkov is another Panthers star that the club will be hoping he has a strong performance in Game 5. The Panthers captain is a major reason for the team's success, as he not only contributes well offensively but is elite defensively. Thus, the Panthers will need the two-way center to be on his A-game against a desperate Hurricanes team in Game 5. Barkov currently has six goals and a team-leading 15 points in 16 playoff games this year. This includes three goals and five points in four games this series. Sergei Bobrovsky is a big reason why the Panthers are only one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final again. The 36-year-old has had an excellent post-season for Florida, posting an 11-5 record, a 2.05 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage in 16 games thus far. Bobrovsky also played quite well in Game 4, even with the Panthers losing. The veteran netminder stopped 25 out of 26 Hurricanes shots, so he certainly did his job. The Panthers will be hoping he can stay hot, but also that the club will help him more offensively in Game 5. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Matthew Tkachuk, Sebastian Aho discuss physical play during Eastern Conference Final Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola, A.J. Greer all expected in Panthers lineup for Game 5 in Carolina Panthers look for third straight win in Raleigh, seeking third straight Stanley Cup Final trip Panthers Are Still In Great Place Despite Game 4 Loss NHL releases official logo for 2026 Winter Classic, tickets to go on sale next week Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Panthers look for third straight win in Raleigh, seeking third straight Stanley Cup Final trip
If at first you don't succeed, eh? For the second time this week, the Florida Panthers will look to punch their ticket to a third straight Stanley Cup Final when they face the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Wednesday night. After scoring 16 goals during their first three wins over the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida couldn't keep up with the Canes in Game 4 and were subsequently shutout 3-0. That meant the Cats had to travel back to Raleigh for another chance to dissipate the Hurricanes. Florida will look to recapture the momentum they built during their first visit to Lenovo Center, where they jumped all over Carolina and outscored them 10-2 while taking the first two games of the series. Despite the loss on Monday, the Panthers remain in a good spot, but as they learned during last year's Stanley Cup Final, a big series lead can disappear in the blink of an eye. 'We put ourselves in a great position, great situation, going on the road with a 3-1 lead,' said Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov. 'We just have to bring our best. We were not at our best (in Game 4), and we'll learn from that and be better next game.' The Panthers looked a step slow during Game 4. Breakouts seemed sluggish at times and countless passes just missed, with many being deflected by the Hurricanes' excellent stickwork. 'They played really well,' said Barkov. 'They defended well. They attacked well. It was a great game by them. We were not at our best, so we need to be better.' One thing that could help Florida improve on their Game 4 performance would be the return of one or more of three players who did not suit up due to injury. Each of Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola were on the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday before the team boarded a flight to Raleigh. Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice indicated there was a chance all three could play in Game 5, saying that they would all skate in the morning and then see how each was feeling. Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Game 5 in Carolina: Evan Rodrigues – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand A.J. Greer – Tomas Nosek – Jonah Gadjovich Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones Nate Schmidt – Dmitry Kulikov Scratches: Mackie Samoskevich, Uvis Balinskis, Jesper Boqvist, Nico Sturm, Jaycob Megna LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers Are Still In Great Place Despite Game 4 Loss NHL releases official logo for 2026 Winter Classic, tickets to go on sale next week Paul Maurice provides update on 3 injured Panthers ahead of Game 5 An excellent playoff team under Paul Maurice, Panthers show how difficult it is to complete sweep Paul Maurice Makes Funny Sergei Bobrovsky Joke After Game 4 Photo caption: May 22, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates scoring during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NHL releases official logo for 2026 Winter Classic, tickets to go on sale next week
The Florida Panthers may be in the midst of another exciting Stanley Cup Playoff run, but there is still something quite large looming in their future. Earlier this year, it was announced that the Panthers would be hosting the 2026 Winter Classic at loanDepot park against the New York Rangers. The game is set for Jan 2, and tickets to the general public will be going on sale next week. For more information on tickets, click here. According to the NHL, ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. Along with the announcement came a new image showing the official 20206 Winter Classic logo. It features Miami-themed neon blue and pink colors, along with a snow-covered palm tree. The 2026 Winter Classic will be the first ever outdoor game in Panthers franchise history. It will also become the southernmost outdoor hockey game in NHL history. Fans looking for additional official information on the Panthers in the Winter Classic can head to LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Paul Maurice provides update on 3 injured Panthers ahead of Game 5 An excellent playoff team under Paul Maurice, Panthers show how difficult it is to complete sweep Paul Maurice Makes Funny Sergei Bobrovsky Joke After Game 4 Three takeaways: Panthers stymied in own zone, power play struggles continue Hurricanes blank Panthers in Game 4 to stay alive in Eastern Conference Final
