Panthers Host Maple Leafs Looking To Stay Atop Atlantic Division
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SUNRISE (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – The home stretch of the NHL season has begun and the Florida Panthers are in control of their own fate.
The Panthers enter the final two weeks of the regular season in position to win the Atlantic Division, with all seven remaining games against teams not occupying a playoff spot.
Florida looks to move one step closer to nailing down the second division title in franchise history when they host the league-worst Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
"It's up to us," Florida right wing Jaromir Jagr told reporters Saturday after a 5-2 road victory over Tampa Bay. "We have a pretty good schedule, but we can't take anyone lightly."
The Panthers are tied with the Lightning atop the division with one game in hand and have posted three victories in a row over the Maple Leafs – two this season by a combined score of 9-2.
Toronto outshot Tampa Bay 34-18 on Monday despite dropping a 3-0 decision for its second straight loss after winning five of its previous six contests.
"We're not laying down," Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly told reporters. "We're into the game right to the end. We're playing hard. We're playing with a lot of pride."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN4 (Toronto), FSN Florida
ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (27-37-11): Jonathan Bernier was rested against the Lightning and is expected back in net versus the Panthers with a 3-2-0 mark and .954 save percentage in his last five starts.
Nazem Kadri recorded six shots but could not add to his team-leading 41 points for the second straight game after notching two goals and two assists against Anaheim on Thursday.
Rookie Nikita Soshnikov and Peter Holland both are questionable for Tuesday with lower-body injuries.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (42-24-9): The 44-year-old Jagr continues to put up tremendous numbers with 25 goals and 58 points while the 32-year-old Jussi Jokinen has led the way over the last month.
Jokinen has recorded four goals and four assists during a five-game point streak and has landed on the scoresheet in 15 of his last 16 games while Vincent Trocheck has scored in four consecutive contests.
Defenseman Erik Gudbranson and Derek MacKenzie could return from lower-body injuries Tuesday.
OVERTIME
- Jagr, whose 25 goals are his most since returning from the KHL in 2011, and Gordie Howe (20) are the only players in NHL history to score 25 in 18 different seasons.
- Toronto RW PA Parenteau needs two goals to reach 20 for the second time in his career and is one shy of 100 overall.
- The Panthers have allowed five power-play goals in their last four contests, but the Maple Leafs are a league-worst 11-for-115 with the man advantage on the road this season.
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