Panthers play the Golden Knights following Tkachuk's 2-goal showing
Florida Panthers (18-19-4, fifth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (27-13-2, first in the Pacific Division)
Paradise, Nevada; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers visit the Vegas Golden Knights after Matthew Tkachuk scored two goals in the Panthers' 5-4 win against the Colorado Avalanche.
Vegas is 27-13-2 overall and 12-10-0 at home. The Golden Knights have a +18 scoring differential, with 137 total goals scored and 119 given up.
Florida has an 18-19-4 record overall and a 9-13-1 record in road games. The Panthers rank third in league play serving 11.9 penalty minutes per game.
The matchup Thursday is the first meeting this season between the two teams.
TOP PERFORMERS: Chandler Stephenson has 11 goals and 29 assists for the Golden Knights. Mark Stone has scored five goals with eight assists over the past 10 games.
Tkachuk has 20 goals and 29 assists for the Panthers. Eric Staal has five goals and two assists over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Knights: 5-4-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.6 assists, three penalties and 6.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
Panthers: 4-6-0, averaging three goals, 4.6 assists, 5.4 penalties and 16.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.8 goals per game.
INJURIES: Golden Knights: Brett Howden: out (lower-body), Alec Martinez: out (undisclosed), Robin Lehner: out (hip), Zach Whitecloud: out (undisclosed), Nolan Patrick: out (upper body), Pavel Dorofeyev: out (undisclosed), Shea Weber: out (ankle).
Panthers: Anthony Duclair: out (achilles), Spencer Knight: out (undisclosed), Patric Hornqvist: out (upper-body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
