Will Smith scored in his second consecutive game after missing a month because of injury, and the San Jose Sharks spoiled Matthew Tkachuk’s season debut by beating the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers 4-1 in a game highlighted by a rare goalie fight.

The Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers in an Eastern Conference tilt to kick off tonight's NHL slate. These two teams typically produce high-scoring games when they meet, and my Panthers vs. Hurricanes predictions expect this trend to continue.

The New York Rangers spoiled the party in Miami, beating the Florida Panthers in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic, 5-1. Big performances from the trio of Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin fueled the victory as the Rangers picked up an enormous win in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Panthers currently sit fourth in the Atlantic Division, one point back of the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Leafs enter Tuesday last in the division, two points back of Florida. Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

Fresh off a season-long six-game road trip, the Panthers will make a brief stop in South Florida to face the San Jose Sharks on Monday before heading north for three straight games in the cold next week.

Closing out their season series, the Panthers have gone 2-0-0 against the Capitals this season. Defending home ice each time, the Panthers won 6-3 on Nov. 13 and then 5-3 on Dec. 29, with both games being played at Amerant Bank Arena.

The reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Panthers have been dealing with devastating injuries to stars Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk.