Graphic design: Francisco Oporta & Todd Little

The two combatants in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final meet this evening in Sunrise when the struggling Florida Panthers (4-5-0) host the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights (5-0-2) at Amerant Bank Arena.

Despite outshooting them 37-16, the Panthers couldn’t fully dig themselves out of a two-goal hole and dropped a 5-3 decision to Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Brad Marchand continued his hot start, scoring a power-play goal and at even-strength to try to bring his team back. Sam Reinhart notched a third period power-play goal off a return pass from Mackie Samsokevich, who also set up Marchand’s PPG. The Cats have now lost five of their last six games.

The Golden Knights are one of two teams who have yet to lose in regulation. Vegas posted a convincing 4-1 win over Carolina in their last outing, handing the Hurricanes their first loss of the season on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Bruce Cassidy’s team is on a four-game winning streak and number one center Jack Eichel leads the league in scoring with 16 points.

WHEN: 6 p.m. ET

WHERE: Amerant Bank Arena – Sunrise, FL

ON THE TUBE: Scripps

ON THE DIAL: 560 WQAM (D/B), Thunder 100.3 (Keys)

SOCIALS: #TimeToHunt, #VegasBorn, #VGKvsFLA, @LitterBoxCats, LBC FaceBook

ENEMY INTEL: Knights On Ice

FLA IN SEASON SERIES: Game 1 of 2

LAST MEETING: @VGK 4, FLA 1 (Recap) – 1/26/2025

NEXT MEETING: November 10, 2025

PROJECTED STARTERS: Florida: Bobrovsky (4-3-0 .893 / 2.61 0SO) Vegas: Schmid(4-0-0 .899 / 2.57 0SO)

PLAYER STATS: Florida / Vegas

Saturday in the Atlantic (Standings/Panthers Playoff Chances)

Colorado (5-0-3 10P) at BOSTON (3-6-0 6P) 3 p.m. (NHL Network)

Anaheim (4-2-1 9P) at TAMPA BAY (1-4-2 4P) 5 p.m.

BUFFALO (4-4-0 8P) at TORONTO (3-4-1 7P) 7 p.m.

St. Louis (3-3-1 7P) at DETROIT (5-3-0 10P) 7 p.m.

OTTAWA (3-4-1 7P) at Washington (5-2-0 10P) 7 p.m.

MONTREAL (6-3-0 12P) at Vancouver (4-4-0 8P) 7 p.m. (NHL Network)