Special Event:
NHL Extras
More NHL
NHL Odds
More Hockey
2
Final(OT) 123OTScore
Florida01102
Chicago10102
Preview | Matchup | Log | Wrap | Box
2


NHL Preview from The Sports Network



Sunday, February 29th (All times eastern)

Florida Panthers (23-26-13-3) at Chicago Blackhawks (18-33-7-5), 3 p.m.

(Sports Network) - The Florida Panthers will look to get back on the winning track tonight, when they take on the lowly Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

Florida had a five-game unbeaten streak snapped Friday, as it fell 4-1 to the Washington Capitals. Robert Luongo isn't perfect and he proved that on Friday, as he surrendered four third-period goals. Luongo, who finished with 25 saves on 28 shots, had posted two consecutive shutouts and three in four outings before the game.

Brian Willsie scored the Capitals' first goal early in the third period, snapping Luongo's team-record shutout streak of 182 minutes and 37 seconds. Luongo snapped his old team record shutout streak of 160:05, which he set last week.

Florida ended 1-for-3 on the power play while holding Washington scoreless on two man advantage opportunities. Mike Van Ryn tallied Florida's lone goal in the contest. Van Ryn has three goals and one assist in four games against Washington this season.

Florida's Jay Bouwmeester saw his first action since missing 18 games with a broken foot. Bouwmeester tallied four shots on goal in his return to the ice.

The Panthers are 3-5-2 in their last 10 road contests, falling to 10-16-7-1 in foreign buildings. Florida is 1-2-1-1 against the Central Division and 4-10-2-1 versus the Western Conference.

The Blackhawks have dropped two of their last three games, including a 4-3 defeat to Columbus Blue Jackets at the United Center Friday night.

Kyle Calder, Bryan Berard and Brett McLean tallied for the Blackhawks, who have lost four of their last six contests. Calder overtook Mark Bell for the team lead in goals.

Chicago rookies Matt Keith and Johnathan Aitken posted their first NHL points by assisting on Calder's goal. Chicago defenseman Nathan Dempsey missed his third game with a concussion. Dempsey is listed as day-to-day.

Michael Leighton allowed four goals on the 29 shots he faced. Leighton is 5-15-5 between the pipes this season.

Chicago finished 2-for-6 on the power play.

The Blackhawks have lost three of their last four home tilts, dropping to 12-10-4-4 in such games this season.

Chicago has dominated this series in recent years, going 6-0-1 over the last seven. The Blackhawks have won four straight matchups with the Panthers in the Windy City.

02/29 10:11:07 ET


NHL News
· Paille's late goal gives Bruins 3-0 series edge over Rangers

· Sharks edge Kings to even series

· National Hockey League Playoff Game Capsules

More News