It's an old-wives tale in the NHL about going against teams on nights they lift the banner at home from the previous season. Will that apply to the Panthers tonight at Sunrise against the Blackhawks? Chicago has nowhere to go but up after a paltry 61 points last season, and there's still Connor Bedard to provide excitement, but the Hawks ranked near the bottom in too many categories, especially on the defensive end, to suggest any upgrade is imminent. Granted, Paul Maurice has some injury concerns at the moment for the Panthers (no Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk for starters), but the admirable depth on display last spring in another Cup run can smooth over those absences. Play Panthers on the Puck Line.
Knight is expected to start Monday's home preseason game against the Wild, Vinnie Parise of The Hockey News reports.
Pouliot was placed on waivers by the Blackhawks on Monday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.
Barkov delivered a goal and a power-play assist during Sunday's 6-3 preseason win over the Hurricanes.
Markstrom stopped 21 of 24 shotds in Sunday's 6-3 exhibition win over the Hurricanes.
Tkachuk generated two goals, including one on the power play, an assist, and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 6-3 preseason win over Carolina.
Markstrom will protect the home net in Sunday's preseason matchup against Carolina, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Balinskis (foot) has skated for the first two days of training camp, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports Friday.
Luostarinen focused on adding muscle during the offseason, Rob Darragh of the Panthers' official site reports Friday.
Mikkola (knee) has skated with Seth Jones during the first two days of training camp, David Dwork of The Hockey News reports Friday.
Levshunov (hand) is ready for the start of training camp, the team announced Wednesday.
