The Florida Panthers take part in an optional morning skate at SAP Center in San Jose The Florida Panthers will be swimming in shark infested waters on Tuesday night when they open a three-game road trip at SAP Center in San Jose. Things have been going in opposite directions for the Panthers and Sharks in the early stages of the 2023-24 season. Florida is one of the hottest teams in the league, boasting a 9-2-1 record over its past 12 games and doing it without several key players in the lineup. The Sharks, meanwhile, are far and away the worst team in the NHL. They average the fewest goals per game (1.20) while surrendering the most (4.40) and enter Tuesday’s matchup with a 2-12-1 record on the season. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] As if things didn’t seem bleak enough for San Jose, they’ll also be facing a goaltender who has been a very successful Shark hunter since arriving in the league. Panthers goaltender Anthony Stolarz will face San Jose for the second time this season. During his career, Stolarz holds a 9-1-0 record against the Sharks, along with a 2.42 goals against average and .934 save percentage. Florida held an optional morning skate on Tuesday, and afterwards head coach Paul Maurice indicated there may be one lineup change. Maurice didn't say which player it was, only that he would be a game-time decision. To see the Panthers projected forward lines and defensive pairings, click here [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sharks-welcome-panthers-to-san-jose-in-matchup-of-teams-moving-in-opposite-directions]. “It’s not significant, we’ll just see how the guy comes to the rink,” Maurice said. As for defensemen Brandon Montour and Aaron Ekblad, they remain on the cusp of making their regular season debuts and are still possible to do so sometime this week while the team is in California. “There's a chance they play on this trip, but it'll be scheduled,” Maurice said. “These are four-to-six month injuries. We set five months as the guideline that we would look at. They're very strong, lord knows they've done enough laps, they're skated enough, so we're just going to stick with what the original idea of when a guy would be ready. If it happens, we'll probably be looking at Anaheim.” Shifting over to the Sharks lineup, it sounds like former Panthers winger Anthony Duclar will be a game-time decision after dealing with an illness over the past few days. Duclair has 3 goals and 5 points in his first 13 games with San Jose. Tending goal for the Sharks will be Mackenzie Blackwood, who comes in LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Sharks welcome Panthers to San Jose in matchup of teams moving in opposite directions [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sharks-welcome-panthers-to-san-jose-in-matchup-of-teams-moving-in-opposite-directions] Panthers forward Sam Reinhart named NHL's First Star of the Week [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-forward-sam-reinhart-named-nhls-first-star-of-the-week] Panthers defensive presence has been difference in hot start to season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/panthers-defensive-presence-has-been-difference-in-hot-start-to-season] Three takeaways: Impressive outings from 2 star forwards, Florida keeps cooking at home [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-impressive-outings-from-2-star-forwards-florida-keeps-cooking-at-home] Panthers survive 2 goals by Connor Bedard, win fourth straight [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-survive-2-goals-by-connor-bedard-win-fourth-straight] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
