Panthers hold practice in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 9. The Florida Panthers are in a good spot as they embark on an extended road trip over the next couple weeks. Florida has won five of their past six, picking up points in each and playing a familiar brand of aggressive, physical hockey, while also scoring a whole bunch of goals. During their six-game point streak in which Florida has gone 5-0-1, the Cats have outscored their opponents 31-15. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] While Sam Reinhart (three goals, seven points) and Sasha Barkov (four goals, nine points) have done well to pump offense into Florida’s game during the six-game run, it’s been Matthew Tkachuk who has taken things to another level completely. Tkachuk is on some kind of run right now, with points in each of the six games on Florida’s streak, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He has logged 15 points during the six games, 13 of which have come during the past four. He has put up five goals and six assists in Florida’s past three games. So yeah, Tkachuk is feeling it right now, and on Monday he was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week for his efforts. Seattle comes in hoping a recent string of three wins in four games is the start of a longer string of consistency. They are currently 14-14-1, with their 3-0-1 stretch coming directly after a 1-4-0 run. Before that, 4-0-1, which followed a 1-6-1 run. Noticing a trend? The Kraken are opening a four-game homestand fresh off a four-game road trip on the East Coast, one they capped off with a 7-5 win at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. It was actually the fourth time this season that Seattle has scored seven or more goals, which ties them with Tampa Bay for most in the league. The win over New York was also the Kraken’s fourth multi-goal comeback, something only Seattle and Vegas have accomplished this season. Here are the Panthers projected lines and for Tuesday’s tilt in Seattle: Carter Verhaeghe – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart Jesper Boqvist – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Evan Rodrigues A.J. Greer – Tomas Nosek – Mackie Samoskevich Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad Niko Mikkola –Dmitry Kulikov Uvis Balinskis – Nate Schmidt Scratches: Jonah Gadjovich, Adam Boqvist LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Matthew Tkachuk named NHL's First Star of the Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-named-nhls-first-star-of-the-week] 'It's been a lot of fun': Paul Maurice sets Panthers franchise mark for all-time coaching wins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/its-been-a-lot-of-fun-paul-maurice-sets-panthers-franchise-mark-for-all-time-coaching-wins] Three takeaways: Panthers play their way, goalies steal the show [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/three-takeaways-panthers-play-their-way-goalies-steal-the-show] Tkachuk stays hot, Panthers take down San Jose 3-1 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/tkachuk-stays-hot-panthers-take-down-san-jose-3-1] Panthers make brief stop in Sunrise for battle with visiting Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-make-brief-stop-in-sunrise-for-battle-with-visiting-sharks] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
