[7:00 PM] Panthers @ Senators

Who will WIN this matchup?

Florida Panthers (8-8-1)

@ Ottawa Senators (10-6-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Roberto Luongo (FLA): Confirmed

Craig Anderson (OTT): Confirmed

 

• The Panthers followed up two straight wins with a 6-1 loss in Toronto on Thursday while the Senators, who netted only 10 goals in their last eight games, were routed by Nashville 5-1 on the same night.

• Erik Karlsson leads the team with 14 points and the Senators are expected to have Craig Anderson (8-3-1, .934 save percentage) back in net after he was rested Thursday.

• Florida won consecutive games (New York Islanders, Montreal) for the first time since the opening two of the season before laying an egg in Toronto.

• Florida has been inconsistent on offense and defense throughout the season, in part because of injuries which have taken away two of its top seven forwards – Nick Bjugstad (hand) and Jonathan Huberdeau (Achilles). The Panthers have still shown they can compete with recent wins over Tampa Bay and Montreal while getting strong performances from newcomers such as Jonathan Marchessault (team-high 14 points).

• Bobby Ryan (hand) left Thursday’s game while fellow forward Mike Hoffman (lower body) missed the Nashville contest and both are questionable for Saturday. That could take two key offensive weapons away from a struggling offense that has only one forward with 10 points – Kyle Turris (eight goals, two assists). Ryan Dzingel (five goals, nine points) has been productive, but the Senators will need more from fellow forwards Mark Stone (three, eight) and Derick Brassard (two, seven), along with defenseman Dion Phaneuf (one, four).

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Ottawa Senators

Confidence: 5/10

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