Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Panthers at Senators
When/where: 7 p.m.; Canadian Tire Center, Ottawa TV: FSF Radio: 560-AM.; 850-AM (Palm Beaches) Scouting report: The Panthers improved to 1-1-1 on this season-longest road trip after their 2-1 overtime win Thursday over the Red Wings. Aleksander Barkov snapped a 22-game goal drought with the winner. Two weeks ago, the visiting Panthers drubbed the Senators and longtime nemesis goalie Craig Anderson 4-1 as Jaromir Jagr notched a goal and two assists. Panthers G Roberto Luongo made 39 saves that game and is now 6-1-1 in his past eight starts. in which he’s allowed just 13 goals. The host Senators fell 3-2 to the Flyers on Thursday on an overtime goal by Claude Giroux. Mike Condon was in the net as Craig Anderson took another personal leave to be with his cancer-stricken wife. The Panthers are 2-2 in shootouts while the Sens are 3-0. Panthers D Alex Petrovic (ankle) and F Jonathan Huberdeau (Achilles) are on IR. and goal figures. It’s just as clear that life without their third wheel, Jonathan Huberdeau, has adversely affected both of their goal totals.
“Of course, it was tough,’’ Barkov said of his slump. “The main thing I just don’t try to think about that and try to move forward. When the team wins games you play good and have great chances to score goals or get an assist. The main thing is to win games and that’s what we’re trying to do right now.’’
That said, despite scoring just his third goal of the season, Barkov is second on the team with 15 points because of his team-leading 12 assists, including nine in his last 12 games. Only Jon Marchessault has more points (career-high 19) and that’s because four of his 10 goals have come off passes from Barkov.
Rowe’s first win: Rowe said that equipment manager Teddy Richards gave him a game puck to commemorate his first NHL victory as a head coach.