Maple Leafs at Panthers
The Florida Panthers have had no reason to celebrate since New Year's Eve, losing each of their first seven games of 2019. They vie for their first win of the calendar year when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday.
Florida has gone 0-5-2 since recording a shootout victory in Detroit on Dec. 31 and scored one goal in each of its last two setbacks, including a 5-1 defeat at Montreal on Tuesday. Mike Hoffman scored his team-leading 22nd goal, matching his total in 82 games with Ottawa last season, as the Panthers concluded their 0-4-1 road trip. Toronto avoided a third straight loss and fourth in five contests by posting a 4-2 victory at Tampa Bay on Thursday. Patrick Marleau and Nazem Kadri each scored and set up another while Mitch Marner extended his goal-scoring streak to four games - and increased his team-leading point total to 60 - with his 19th of the season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet Ontario (Toronto), FS Florida
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (29-15-2): Kadri's goal against the Lightning was his 10th of 2018-19, marking the seventh straight season he has reached double digits. It also ended his 10-game drought and followed a stretch during which he tallied twice in 27 contests. John Tavares registered his eighth multi-point performance in 13 contests Thursday as he notched a pair of assists after being kept off the scoresheet in three of his previous four games.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (17-20-8): Florida will be without defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday after exiting the loss to the Canadiens and being put in concussion protocol following a high hit from Paul Byron, who received a three-game suspension for his actions. The 25-year-old Weegar has recorded a goal and six assists in 42 contests this season. Vincent Trocheck, who hasn't placed since Nov. 19 because of a broken right ankle, participated in his first full practice since suffering the injury Thursday and likely will return to action after the All-Star break.
OVERTIME
1. The Panthers recalled D Josh Brown, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2013 draft but has yet to make his NHL debut, from Springfield of the American Hockey League to replace Weegar on the roster.
2. Marleau ended his nine-game point drought with Thursday's performance.
3. Florida's slide is its longest since a nine-game skid (0-5-4) from Oct. 22-Nov. 10, 2013.