The Florida Panthers (1-0-1) and Anaheim Ducks (1-0-0) collide Sunday at Honda Center with early-season implications for two teams still sorting out their identities. The biggest question facing both is whether their goaltenders can hold up after shaky underlying numbers through the opening week.
Florida Panthers vs Anaheim Ducks game information
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
- TV/Streaming: Scripps Sports, KCOP, Prime Video
Can Jacob Markstrom settle in after a strong debut?
Jacob Markstrom is projected to start in goal for Florida after earning a 15-save shutout in the Panthers’ season-opening 1-0 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes, per NHL.com. He replaces Sergei Bobrovsky, who signed with Toronto in free agency, and posted a .883 save percentage in 23-19-1 record last season with New Jersey. Florida’s team save percentage stands at .915 through two games.
What does Anaheim’s defense need to fix?
Lukas Dostal is the projected starting goaltender for Anaheim after stopping 27 of 30 shots in a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, per CBS Sports. Vegas scored three third-period goals in that game, a pattern CBS Sports linked to Anaheim’s young, inexperienced blue line. The Ducks have allowed 30 shots on goal already this season with a .900 team save percentage, and ESPN‘s preseason preview noted only the Ducks allowed more scoring chances and shots per 60 than Minnesota among playoff teams a year ago.
How banged up are the Panthers up front?
Florida is working without several key forwards. Brad Marchand remains on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and is not expected back until Oct. 25, while Jonah Gadjovich (upper-body surgery) has a projected return of Oct. 17. MacKenzie Entwistle is also on injured reserve.
Center Aleksander Barkov is on injured reserve with a left knee injury through Oct. 27. Defenseman Gustav Forsling is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and is projected to return Sunday. ESPN’s season preview noted Florida ranked 18th in goals per game last season without Barkov, averaging 3.00 per game, underscoring how much the Panthers’ offense depends on his health.
Key matchup: Florida’s forecheck versus Anaheim’s young blue line
Eetu Luostarinen leads Florida with two goals and two points after scoring twice in the 4-3 overtime loss to San Jose on Oct. 2, and the Panthers have outshot opponents 46-47 in shots through two games.
Anaheim’s defense has already shown cracks, surrendering three third-period goals to Vegas after building a two-period lead, a stretch CBS Sports attributed to the Ducks’ inexperienced defensive corps. Leo Carlsson paces Anaheim’s offense with a goal and an assist for two points, giving the Ducks a counterpunch if Florida’s forecheck creates turnovers in the defensive zone.
By the numbers
- Goals: Panthers 4, Ducks 4
- Points: Panthers 10, Ducks 12
- Shots on goal: Panthers 46, Ducks 30
- Save percentage: Panthers .915, Ducks .900
- Goals against average: Panthers 2.00, Ducks 3.00
- Power-play goals: Panthers 1, Ducks 0
- Faceoff percentage: Panthers 49.1%, Ducks 42.9%
- Penalty minutes: Panthers 35, Ducks 6
What to watch
Florida sits second in the Atlantic Division with three points, one behind Boston, while Anaheim is tied for third in the Pacific with two points. Sunday offers an early measuring stick for both teams. Florida’s road trip through California continues after a loss in San Jose, and how Florida respond without full health up front will say plenty about their depth. For related coverage of Florida’s injury situation, see Aleksander Barkov injury and the Panthers’ recap of the loss to the Sharks.
Reporting from FOX Sports, ESPN, CBS Sports and NHL.com contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).
