Oilers at Panthers
The Florida Panthers are making a spirited late-season run at a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, buoyed by their stellar play on their home ice. The Panthers' recent success at BB&T Center will be tested on Saturday against their next opponent as they seek their first home win over the Edmonton Oilers in more than 15 years.
Florida cooled off the Boston Bruins 3-0 on Thursday night to improve to 9-1-1 in its last 11 overall and win for the ninth time in its last 10 at home. The Panthers are just three points behind New Jersey with two games in hand for the final playoff slot but play seven of the next eight on the road following Saturday's clash. "The reason we're in a playoff race is because of what we've done at home," coach Bob Boughner said. "The key is going to be trying to replicate that on the road." The Oilers, who have won eight straight in Florida dating to December 2002, had an overall three-game winning streak in the series snapped in a 7-5 home loss to the Panthers on Feb. 12.
TV: 2 p.m. ET, Sportsnet West (Edmonton), FS Florida
ABOUT THE OILERS (30-35-5): Reigning MVP Connor McDavid, who had a goal and an assist in the earlier loss to Florida, has amassed 15 points over the past nine games and needs 14 more in the final 12 contests to reach 100 for the second straight season. Pontus Aberg, who has been playing on a line with McDavid, was hurt in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to San Jose and has been ruled out for Saturday. Defenseman Kris Russell also was injured while blocking a shot against the Sharks and was termed "very doubtful."
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (35-26-7): Vincent Trocheck extended his point streak to five games by scoring his team-leading 27th goal versus Boston and he also registered a third-period hat trick in last month's victory in Edmonton. Trocheck, who has five goals and seven assists in his last 11 games, also tallied his 13th power-play goal of the season -- five more than his previous four seasons combined. Aleksander Barkov became the first player in franchise history to reach 70 points since Olli Jokinen in 2007-08.
OVERTIME
1. Panthers F Evgenii Dadonov has 16 points in his last 10 games.
2. The Oilers have killed off 36 of 39 penalties over the past 14 games.
3. Panthers G Roberto Luongo is 27-12-5 with four shutouts against Edmonton.