Cats & Coffee: Panthers Hit the Road; Grateful Dead Night

Good morning and welcome to "Cats & Coffee," a weekly segment, presented by Koffee Kult, in which we serve up an exciting look at what's on deck for your Florida Panthers. Like our friends at Koffee Kult, this forecast serves up only the best -- so sit back, sip and enjoy our latest brew of news, notes and information!
The Florida Panthers will embark on their first multi-game road trip this week in search of their first victory of the 2018-19 season. Florida has held the lead in each of its first three games this season, but has been unable to carry it until the very end, dropping each game by just one goal.

"Every time we take the lead, it's tough when the momentum changes and the other team ties it up right after," coach Bob Boughner said after Saturday's 3-2 loss to Vancouver at BB&T Center. "It's a pattern so far in the first three games. It' something that's got to change."
Still, there's clearly no reason for the Panthers (0-1-2) to panic.
As one of the top-possession teams in the league, Florida's Corsi For percentage of 54.34 in all situations currently ranks seventh in the NHL, while their CF% of 52.63 at 5-on-5 ranks 10th. So, in short, the Panthers are getting plenty of chances, but simply haven't been able to convert.
But once those attempts turn into goals, the Cats believe the wins will follow.
"I think there's a lot of things we can be positive about and we're playing pretty good hockey, but we're kind of beating ourselves," said center Vincent Trocheck, who scored his first goal of the season on Saturday. "We're giving teams just a few chances, but the chances we're giving up are Grade-A quality opportunities that we can't be giving up."
Here's everything you need to know for the week ahead…

THE GAMES

Tuesday: at Philadelphia Flyers, 7:00 p.m.
The Panthers will kick off their two-game road trip with a matchup against the Flyers (2-3-0) at Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday. After getting off to a good start this season with a 5-2 win over Las Vegas, Philadelphia has since dropped three of its last four games. At the moment, the main issue for the Flyers appears to be their defense, which currently ranks 26th in the league while allowing 4.00 goals per game to be scored on average. Additionally, in goal, both starter Brian Elliot (.883) and backup Calvin Pickard (.886) own save percentages under .900. For the Cats, look for Evgenii Dadonov to take advantage these struggles, as the offensive dynamo is tied with Trocheck for the team lead with three points (one goal, two assists).
TV: FSF
Radio:560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 1370 WAXE (TREASURE COAST) \WAXE START TIME 8:00 PM
Friday: at Washington Capitals, 7:00 p.m.
The Panthers will get their first look at last season's Stanley Cup champions when they head to D.C. to battle the Capitals (2-2-1) at Capitol One Arena on Friday. Washington enters the week having lost two straight games by a combined scored of 10-2, including a 6-0 route at the hands of New Jersey on Thursday. Still, despite their recent struggles, the Capitals still possess one of the league's most-potent attacks, ranking sixth in the NHL by scoring an average of 4.00 goals per game. As it stands now, Evgeny Kuznetsov leads the team in both goals (4) and points (9). So, for the Panthers, this game will likely come down to being strong on defense, where blue-line bruiser Alexander Petrovic leads the team in both hits (8) and blocked shots (tied-5).
TV:FSF
Radio: 560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 1370 WAXE (TREASURE COAST) \WAXE START TIME 8:00 PM
Saturday: Detroit Red Wings, 7:00 p.m.
Following their matchup in the nation's capital, the Panthers will hop a quick flight back to South Florida to host the Red Wings (0-3-2) in the second half of their first back-to-back of the season. Detroit has lost all five of its games to start the season and currently ranks 25th in the league in offense (2.20 goals per game) and 31st in defense (4.40 goals allowed per game). In three of the last four games, the Red Wings have surrendered at least four goals. Looking to take advantage of Detroit's leaky defense will be top-line center Aleksander Barkov, who is coming of a career-high 78 points (27 goals, 51 assists) in 79 games last season. Through the first three games of this season, the 23-year-old captain has tallied a goal and an assist.
TV:FSF
Radio: 560 WQAM (DADE/BROWARD); 640 WMEN (PALM BEACH); 100.3 WCTH (FLORIDA KEYS); 1370 WAXE (TREASURE COAST) *WAXE START TIME 8:00 PM
In-Arena Specials: Grateful Dead Night, Trick-or-Treating, Legacy Saturday (Ed Jovanovski)
Tickets: Click HERE

VIKTOR E. DASH

In conjunction with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Panthers will host their third-annual Viktor E. Dash at BB&T Center on Saturday, Oct. 20. The 5K race will begin at 8 A.M, with race packet pick-up beginning at 7 A.M. The One Mile Fun Run will begin at 8:45 a.m.
Although early-bird registration now closed, fans interested in the run can still purchase a place in the 5K race for $40 (the Fun Run is $27), with a portion of all proceeds going to the Florida Panthers Foundation. If you are interested in participating, sign ups can be found HERE.
All registered racers will receive one ticket to the Oct. 20 Panthers matchup against Detroit or a ticket to the Nov. 8 matchup with the Edmonton. However, racers that attempt the 5K will also receive a special finisher's medal. If you are unable to attend but still donate to the race as a virtual runner, a very cool race goodie bag will be delivered via mail.
See you at the race!

GRATEFUL DEAD NIGHT

The grooviest night of the year is back!
The Panthers will host their annual Grateful Dead Tribute Night when the team faces off against Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 20 at BB&T Center. By far one of the wildest and most-popular themed nights of the year, all fans who purchase this ticket package will also receive a unique and collectable Grateful Dead T-shirt as a special bonus. To purchase tickets, click HERE and use the special promo code (hint: it's GRATEFUL).
Season ticket holders can also add-on by purchasing HERE.
In honor of Halloween, there will also be a post-game trick-or-treating hosted by IT'SUGAR.

MILESTONE WATCH

• Nick Bjugstad is three assists away from his 100th NHL assist.
  - Jonathan Huberdeau is four goals away from his 100th NHL goal.

CATS CLIP OF THE WEEK

You never know who you'll run into at a Panthers "Learn 2 Play" class.

CATS IN THE COMMUNITY

COLD COFFEE (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)

-- The Panthers recently announced their 2018-19 community drives.
See how you can help!
-- WATCH:
As part of "Legacy Saturdays," the Panthers honored Roberto Luongo with a special pre-game ceremony on Saturday.
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The Panthers loaned defenseman Jacob MacDonald to AHL Springfield
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Florida's fourth line is finding success through simplicity this season.
-- WATCH:
The 1993-94 Panthers were honored at Florida's home opener.
-- Aleksander Barkov is doing a special blog for NHL.com in Finland. You can check out the first entry HERE.
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The Panthers recently announced a new partnership with Spectra Baby USA.
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Jacob MacDonald's 1st NHL goal with the Panthers was many years in the making
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The Panthers will be without Roberto Luongo for 2-4 weeks.
-- James Reimer joined last week's episode of the Territory Talk podcast.