Flames at Panthers
THE STORY: With the exception of the Minnesota Wild, the Florida Panthers have been the league's biggest surprise this season, sitting atop the Southeast Division and battling for the top overall spot in the Eastern Conference. However, the Panthers have hit a rough spot of late and will be looking to avoid a season-high fourth consecutive defeat when they host the Calgary Flames on Friday night. Florida continued an all-too-familiar pattern in a 3-2 shootout loss to New Jersey, blowing a two-goal lead in the opener of a four-game homestand. It continued a teeth-gnashing stretch on their home ice for the Panthers, who have played 10 consecutive one-goal games at the BankAtlantic Center. Calgary is also trying to get back on track after opening a four-game road trip with back-to-back one-goal losses, including a 5-4 overtime defeat at the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSW
ABOUT THE FLAMES (14-14-3): Calgary scored twice in the third period to erase a two-goal deficit and force overtime Thursday, only to see the Lightning score just 30 seconds into the extra session. Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist to give him nine points in his last seven games. Captain Jarome Iginla also scored his fifth goal in five games and has 10 points in his last seven. Matt Stajan finally ended his season-opening 24-game goalless drought.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (16-9-6): Despite the loss to the Devils, Florida is 4-0-2 in its last six at home and finishes the month with six of eight games on home ice. Kris Versteeg scored twice – including a shorthanded tally – against New Jersey to extend his points streak to four. Florida’s offense has been laboring overall, managing only six goals in the last four games. The Panthers fell to 1-4 in shootouts – with all of them coming at home.
OVERTIME:
1. Since the shootout was implemented for the 2005-06 season, the Panthers have 25 wins and a league-worst 48 losses.
2. Iginla will play in his 1,137th game Friday to move into 129th place all-time.