ELMONT, N.Y. \u2013 On the Island.<\/p>\n
Beginning their weekend back-to-back in New York, the Florida Panthers (35-33-3) will take on the New York Islanders (41-27-5) at UBS Arena on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n
Their third and final meeting of the season, the Panthers took the first meeting 4-1 on Dec. 7 at Amerant Bank Arena and the Islanders countered with 5-4 win on March 1 at UBS Arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re putting a lot into these (games),\u201d said Matthew Tkachuk. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of gamers in here. There\u2019s so many competitive people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coming off a tight battle in their last game, the Panthers fell 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday after Joel Eriksson Ek scored the go-ahead goal with just five seconds left in the third period.<\/p>\n
In the loss, Tkachuk continued to carry a hot stick, recording two points (1G, 1A).<\/p>\n
Since the Olympic break, the gold medalist for the United States has notched 17 points (7G, 10A) and 42 shots in 14 games.<\/p>\n
Tkachuk leads the team in all four categories during that span.<\/p>\n
“He’s been scoring, he’s been finishing, he’s been making plays,” head coach Paul Maurice said of Tkachuk’s game.<\/p>\n
The Panthers will be without Sam Bennett (undisclosed) and Evan Rodrigues after\u00a0the veteran forward suffered a broken finger in his opening shift against the Wild on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Rodrigues could miss four to six weeks depending on if surgery is needed, per Maurice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got used to having five or six guys (out), and now we’re getting to nine and ten,\u201d Maurice said of the injuries. \u201cIt’s tough, but they treat each other the way they’re supposed to, so proud of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mackie Samoskevich will draw back in the lineup after missing the last three games.<\/p>\n
Daniil Tarasov will get the start in net for the matinee.<\/p>\n
The Panthers netminder is coming off a 47 save performance against the Wild on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Hosting the Panthers, the Islanders enter Saturday\u2019s tilt right in the playoff mix.<\/p>\n
Controlling the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with 87 points, the Islanders sit right behind the Columbus Blue Jackets (87 points \u2013 tiebreaker) and Pittsburgh Penguins (88 points) for the second and third spot in the Metropolitan Division.<\/p>\n
Just behind, the Ottawa Senators (86 points) and Detroit Red Wings (84 points) are in the Islanders\u2019 rearview mirror with games in hand.<\/p>\n
Picking up an important two points, the Islanders took down the Dallas Stars 2-1 on Thursday at UBS Arena.<\/p>\n
Scoring his 30th of the season in the win, Bo Horvat has racked up nine points (4G, 5A) over the last 10 games.<\/p>\n
One of the league\u2019s best in the faceoff circle, Horvat has snapped back at 56.3% rate to go along with his 52 points (30G, 22A) this season.<\/p>\n
On the back end, rookie Matthew Schaefer has been the talk around the league.<\/p>\n
With 54 points (22G, 32A), the 18-year-old has the second most goals amongst all NHL defenseman and leads all rookie blueliners in goals, assists, points, and plus\/minus rating (+18).<\/p>\n
Ilya Sorokin is expected to get the nod in net for the Islanders.<\/p>\n
One of the NHL\u2019s best the season, Sorokin ranks amongst the top in wins (27), save percentage (.914), goals against average (2.48), and shutouts (7).<\/p>\n
THEY SAID IT<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re fighting together. Nobody’s quitting on each other.\u201d \u2013 Matthew Tkachuk<\/p>\n
\u201cThe veteran guys are being so good to the new guys and the young guys that they\u2019ll play hard. So they\u2019re going to play hard.\u201d \u2013 Paul Maurice<\/p>\n
FIVE CATS STATS<\/p>\n
– Eight different Panthers skaters have reached the double-digit goal mark.<\/p>\n
– Gustav Forsling has recorded 25 points for five straight seasons.<\/p>\n
– Jesper Boqvist ranks second on the Panthers with 126 hits.<\/p>\n
– The Panthers are 5-5-0 against the Islanders in the last 10 games.<\/p>\n
– Carter Verhaeghe has 11 points (6G, 5A) in 14 games against the Islanders as a Panther.<\/p>\n
PROJECTED LINEUP (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)<\/p>\n
FORWARDS<\/p>\n
Carter Verhaeghe – Eetu Luostarinen – Matthew Tkachuk<\/p>\n
Mackie Samoskevich – Jesper Boqvist – Noah Gregor<\/p>\n
Cole Reinhardt – Tomas Nosek – Vinnie Hinostroza<\/p>\n
Nolan Foote – Luke Kunin – Jack Studnicka<\/p>\n
DEFENSEMEN<\/p>\n
Gustav Forsling – Aaron Ekblad<\/p>\n
Dmitry Kulikov – Seth Jones\u00a0<\/p>\n
Donovan Sebrango – Mike Benning<\/p>\n
GOALIES<\/p>\n
Daniil Tarasov<\/p>\n
Sergei Bobrovsky<\/p>\n
RECENT TRANSACTIONS<\/p>\n
– March 24:\u00a0F Noah Gregor recalled from Charlotte (AHL)<\/p>\n
– March 15:\u00a0F Nolan Foote recalled from Charlotte (AHL)<\/p>\n
– March 12:\u00a0D Mike Benning recalled from Charlotte (AHL)<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH\/LISTEN<\/p>\n
When:\u00a0Saturday, March 28 at 1 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0UBS Arena \u2013 Elmont, NY<\/p>\n
TV & Streaming:\u00a0WSFL, WHDT, WFTX, PanthersPlus.TV<\/p>\n
Radio: 104.3 WQAM-FM\/560 WQAM-AM (Dade\/Broward); 106.3 WESP-FM (Palm Beach); 100.3 WCTH-FM (Florida Keys); 101.7 WCZR-FM (Treasure Coast); Panthers GameDay App; SiriusXM\u00a0App & Streaming 931<\/p>\n