Previews: Canadiens at Panthers, Rangers at Lightning
Montreal Canadiens (14-17-3, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Florida Panthers (22-12-2, in the Atlantic Division)
Sunrise, Florida; Saturday, 1 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Montreal Canadiens take on the Florida Panthers in Atlantic Division action on Saturday.
Florida is 22-12-2 overall and 5-3-0 against the Atlantic Division. The Panthers serve 10.2 penalty minutes per game to rank fourth in NHL play.
Montreal is 14-17-3 overall and 6-3-0 against the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens have allowed 122 goals while scoring 100 for a -22 scoring differential.
The teams meet Saturday for the first time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Sam Reinhart has scored 22 goals with 23 assists for the Panthers. Matthew Tkachuk has six goals and six assists over the last 10 games.
Cole Caufield has 17 goals and 15 assists for the Canadiens. Nicholas Suzuki has two goals and nine assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 7-3-0, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.4 assists, 4.6 penalties and 11.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.
Canadiens: 6-4-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.7 assists, four penalties and 8.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
INJURIES:
Panthers: None listed.
Canadiens: None listed.
New York Rangers (16-17-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (19-11-2, in the Atlantic Division)
Tampa, Florida; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the New York Rangers in Eastern Conference play.
Tampa Bay has a 10-5-1 record in home games and a 19-11-2 record overall. The Lightning rank second in the league with 126 total goals (averaging 3.9 per game).
New York has a 16-17-1 record overall and a 9-8-0 record on the road. The Rangers have conceded 102 goals while scoring 96 for a -6 scoring differential.
The matchup Saturday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
TOP PERFORMERS: Brayden Point has 22 goals and 17 assists for the Lightning. Jake Guentzel has 10 goals and four assists over the last 10 games.
Artemi Panarin has 15 goals and 21 assists for the Rangers. Reilly Smith has scored four goals over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lightning: 7-3-0, averaging 4.3 goals, 7.1 assists, 3.2 penalties and 8.8 penalty minutes while giving up two goals per game.
Rangers: 3-7-0, averaging two goals, 3.3 assists, 4.3 penalties and 11.4 penalty minutes while giving up three goals per game.
INJURIES: Lightning: None listed.
Rangers: None listed.
(Associated Press)
