Tkachuks Carry the Load as Short-Handed Panthers Host Reeling Canucks

Florida Panthers Vancouver Canucks

SUNRISE, Fla. — Two weeks into the season, the Florida Panthers still haven't won two games in a row. They get a good chance to fix that tonight, when the Vancouver Canucks limp into Amerant Bank Arena on a five-game losing streak.

Florida (3-2-2) comes home after a 7-3 win at Columbus on Tuesday. Brady Tkachuk scored a natural hat trick in the second period, and his brother Matthew set up five goals. Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart each scored twice. It was the kind of night the Panthers needed, because the brothers are carrying a lineup without captain Aleksander Barkov (lower body, expected out until late November) and Brad Marchand (leg, expected out until around Nov. 21).

Tonight is only Florida's second home game in its first eight. It's also Vamos Gatos Night, the team's Hispanic Heritage celebration.

The goalie question

The biggest unknown before the game is in net. Jacob Markstrom (2-1-1, 2.03 goals-against average) is listed day-to-day with what's been described as undisclosed tightness. If he can't go, Akira Schmid (3.72 goals-against average in three appearances) would likely make his second straight start. Cooper Black was called up from AHL Charlotte as another option and would be making his NHL debut if he plays. Check the morning skate before you lock in any goalie talk.

Key matchups

• Florida's power play vs. Vancouver's penalty kill. The Panthers went 6-for-10 on the power play over their last two games. Vancouver's penalty kill has been among the league's worst early on, though Tuesday was the first game this season it didn't allow a power-play goal.
• Kevin Lankinen vs. Florida. Lankinen is expected to start for Vancouver, and his career numbers against Florida are strong: 8-3-2 with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and three shutouts in 13 games. With Thatcher Demko out with a hip injury until around December, Lankinen is the Canucks' best chance to steal one.
• Florida's top line vs. Vancouver's top line. Pettersson, Boeser and DeBrusk all have good career numbers against Florida, and the Panthers will have last change at home to get the matchups they want.

What to watch

Vancouver (2-6-0) is 0-4 on a six-game road trip and has scored only nine goals during its five-game skid. The losses were 3-2 to the Islanders, 6-2 to the Rangers, 4-1 to New Jersey, 7-2 to Carolina and 3-2 to Vegas. After Tuesday's loss on Long Island, coach Manny Malhotra told reporters, per The Associated Press, "I thought the effort was much better." Still, history hasn't favored Florida in this matchup. The Canucks have won four of the last five meetings, including a 5-2 win in the most recent one, on March 17, 2026. This is the first of two meetings this season. The second is Jan. 9 in Vancouver.

How to watch

Puck drop is 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. Scripps Sports has the local TV broadcast, and ESPN lists the game on ESPN+.