2020–21 Florida Panthers season

National Hockey League team season

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "2020–21 Florida Panthers season" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (December 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

2020–21 Florida Panthers

Division| 2nd Central
2020–21 record| 37–14–5
Home record| 20–5–3
Road record| 17–9–2
Goals for| 189
Goals against| 153
Team information
General manager| Bill Zito
Coach| Joel Quenneville
Captain| Aleksander Barkov
Alternate captains| Aaron Ekblad
Patric Hornqvist
Jonathan Huberdeau
Keith Yandle
Arena| BB&T Center
Minor league affiliate(s)| Charlotte Checkers (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch (AHL)[1]
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (ECHL)
Team leaders
Goals| Aleksander Barkov (26)
Assists| Jonathan Huberdeau (41)
Points| Jonathan Huberdeau (61)
Penalty minutes| Ryan Lomberg (67)
Plus/minus| MacKenzie Weegar (+29)
Wins| Sergei Bobrovsky (19)
Goals against average| Chris Driedger (2.07)

<- 2019–20

2021–22 ->

The 2020–21 Florida Panthers season was the 27th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established in 1993. Head coach Joel Quenneville coached his second season with the team.[2] On December 20, 2020, the league temporarily realigned into four divisions with no conferences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing closure of the Canada–United States border. As a result of this realignment, the Panthers would play this season in the Central Division and would only play games against the other teams in their new division during the regular season, and potentially, the first two rounds of the playoffs.

On April 27, the Panthers clinched a playoff berth after a 7–4 win over the Nashville Predators.[3] In the first round, they met their rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs for the first time. They were eliminated with a 4-0 loss in game six on May 26, continuing the league's longest playoff series win drought.

## Standings

[edit]

Central Division  Pos | Team

* v
* t
* e

| GP | W | L | OTL | RW | GF | GA | GD | Pts

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | y - Carolina Hurricanes | 56  | 36  | 12  | 8  | 27  | 179  | 136  | +43  | 80
2  | x - Florida Panthers | 56  | 37  | 14  | 5  | 26  | 189  | 153  | +36  | 79
3  | x - Tampa Bay Lightning | 56  | 36  | 17  | 3  | 29  | 181  | 147  | +34  | 75
4  | x - Nashville Predators | 56  | 31  | 23  | 2  | 21  | 156  | 154  | +2  | 64
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
5  | e - Dallas Stars | 56  | 23  | 19  | 14  | 17  | 158  | 154  | +4  | 60
6  | e - Chicago Blackhawks | 56  | 24  | 25  | 7  | 15  | 161  | 186  | −25  | 55
7  | e - Detroit Red Wings | 56  | 19  | 27  | 10  | 17  | 127  | 171  | −44  | 48
8  | e - Columbus Blue Jackets | 56  | 18  | 26  | 12  | 12  | 137  | 187  | −50  | 48

Source: National Hockey League[4]
Rules for classification: 1) Fewer number of games played (GP, only during regular season); 2) Greater number of regulation wins (RW); 3) Greater number of wins in regulation and overtime, excluding shootout wins (ROW); 4) Greater number of total wins, including shootouts (W); 5) Greater number of points earned in head-to-head play; if teams played an uneven number of head-to-head games, the result of the first game on the home ice of the team with the extra home game is discarded; 6) Greater goal differential (GD); 7) Greater number of goals scored (GF)
e - Eliminated from playoff contention; x - Clinched playoff spot; y - Clinched division

## Schedule and results

[edit]

### Regular season

[edit]

The regular season schedule was published on December 23, 2020.[5]

2020–21 game log

| January: 5–0–1 (Home: 2–0–0 ; Road: 3–0–1)

# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts | Recap
— | January 14 | Dallas | – | Florida | Postponed due to COVID protocol.[6] Rescheduled for February 22.
— | January 15 | Dallas | – | Florida | Postponed due to COVID protocol. Rescheduled for May 10.
1 | January 17 | Chicago | 2–5 | Florida |  | Driedger | 4,147 | 1–0–0 | 2 | [7]
2 | January 19 | Chicago | 4–5 | Florida | OT | Bobrovsky | 3,667 | 2–0–0 | 4 | [8]
— | January 21 | Florida | – | Carolina | Postponed due to COVID protocol.[9] Rescheduled for February 17.
— | January 23 | Florida | – | Carolina | Postponed due to COVID protocol. Rescheduled for March 7.
3 | January 26 | Florida | 4–3 | Columbus | SO | Bobrovsky | 0 | 3–0–0 | 6 | [10]
4 | January 28 | Florida | 2–3 | Columbus | SO | Driedger | 0 | 3–0–1 | 7 | [11]
5 | January 30 | Florida | 3–2 | Detroit | OT | Bobrovsky | 0 | 4–0–1 | 9 | [12]
6 | January 31 | Florida | 3–2 | Detroit |  | Driedger | 0 | 5–0–1 | 11 | [13]
| February: 8–4–2 (Home: 5–3–2 ; Road: 3–1–0)

# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts | Recap
7 | February 4 | Nashville | 6–5 | Florida | OT | Bobrovsky | 3,698 | 5–0–2 | 12 | [14]
8 | February 5 | Nashville | 1–2 | Florida |  | Driedger | 3,977 | 6–0–2 | 14 | [15]
9 | February 7 | Detroit | 4–1 | Florida |  | Driedger | 3,706 | 6–1–2 | 14 | [16]
10 | February 9 | Detroit | 1–2 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 3,477 | 7–1–2 | 16 | [17]
11 | February 11 | Tampa Bay | 2–5 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 3,808 | 8–1–2 | 18 | [18]
12 | February 13 | Tampa Bay | 6–1 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,509 | 8–2–2 | 18 | [19]
13 | February 15 | Florida | 6–4 | Tampa Bay |  | Driedger | 100 | 9–2–2 | 20 | [20]
14 | February 17 | Florida | 4–3 | Carolina | OT | Driedger | 0 | 10–2–2 | 22 | [21]
15 | February 19 | Florida | 7–2 | Detroit |  | Driedger | 0 | 11–2–2 | 24 | [22]
16 | February 20 | Florida | 1–2 | Detroit |  | Bobrovsky | 0 | 11–3–2 | 24 | [23]
17 | February 22 | Dallas | 1–3 | Florida |  | Driedger | 3,510 | 12–3–2 | 26 | [24]
18 | February 24 | Dallas | 3–0 | Florida |  | Driedger | 3,324 | 12–4–2 | 26 | [25]
19 | February 25 | Dallas | 2–3 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 3,844 | 13–4–2 | 28 | [26]
20 | February 27 | Carolina | 4–3 | Florida | SO | Bobrovsky | 4,281 | 13–4–3 | 29 | [27]
| March: 10–5–1 (Home: 4–1–1 ; Road: 6–4–0)

# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts | Recap
21 | March 1 | Carolina | 3–2 | Florida | OT | Driedger | 3,817 | 13–4–4 | 30 | [28]
22 | March 4 | Florida | 5–4 | Nashville |  | Bobrovsky | —[a] | 14–4–4 | 32 | [29]
23 | March 6 | Florida | 6–2 | Nashville |  | Bobrovsky | —[a] | 15–4–4 | 34 | [30]
24 | March 7 | Florida | 2–4 | Carolina |  | Driedger | 2,924 | 15–5–4 | 34 | [31]
25 | March 9 | Florida | 4–2 | Columbus |  | Bobrovsky | 3,448 | 16–5–4 | 36 | [32]
26 | March 11 | Florida | 5–4 | Columbus | OT | Bobrovsky | 3,739 | 17–5–4 | 38 | [33]
27 | March 13 | Chicago | 2–4 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,721 | 18–5–4 | 40 | [34]
28 | March 15 | Chicago | 3–6 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,512 | 19–5–4 | 42 | [35]
29 | March 18 | Nashville | 2–1 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,559 | 19–6–4 | 42 | [36]
30 | March 20 | Nashville | 0–2 | Florida |  | Driedger | 4,358 | 20–6–4 | 44 | [37]
31 | March 21 | Florida | 3–5 | Tampa Bay |  | Bobrovsky | 3,800 | 20–7–4 | 44 | [38]
32 | March 23 | Florida | 2–3 | Chicago |  | Driedger | 0 | 20–8–4 | 44 | [39]
33 | March 25 | Florida | 0–3 | Chicago |  | Bobrovsky | 0 | 20–9–4 | 44 | [40]
34 | March 27 | Florida | 4–3 | Dallas | OT | Bobrovsky | 4,209 | 21–9–4 | 46 | [41]
35 | March 28 | Florida | 4–1 | Dallas |  | Driedger | 4,026 | 22–9–4 | 48 | [42]
36 | March 30 | Detroit | 1–4 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,321 | 23–9–4 | 50 | [43]
| April: 10–5–1 (Home: 6–1–1 ; Road: 4–4–0)

# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts | Recap
37 | April 1 | Detroit | 2–3 | Florida | OT | Driedger | 4,359 | 24–9–4 | 52 | [44]
38 | April 3 | Columbus | 2–5 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,375 | 25–9–4 | 54 | [45]
39 | April 4 | Columbus | 0–3 | Florida |  | Driedger | 4,069 | 26–9–4 | 56 | [46]
40 | April 6 | Florida | 2–5 | Carolina |  | Bobrovsky | 4,987 | 26–10–4 | 56 | [47]
41 | April 8 | Florida | 0–3 | Carolina |  | Driedger | 4,987 | 26–11–4 | 56 | [48]
42 | April 10 | Florida | 1–4 | Dallas |  | Bobrovsky | 4,165 | 26–12–4 | 56 | [49]
43 | April 13 | Florida | 3–2 | Dallas | OT | Driedger | 4,199 | 27–12–4 | 58 | [50]
44 | April 15 | Florida | 2–3 | Tampa Bay | OT | Driedger | 3,800 | 27–12–5 | 59 | [51]
45 | April 17 | Florida | 5–3 | Tampa Bay |  | Bobrovsky | 3,800 | 28–12–5 | 61 | [52]
46 | April 19 | Columbus | 2–4 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,041 | 29–12–5 | 63 | [53]
47 | April 20 | Columbus | 1–5 | Florida |  | Knight | 4,132 | 30–12–5 | 65 | [54]
48 | April 22 | Carolina | 4–2 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 4,683 | 30–13–5 | 65 | [55]
49 | April 24 | Carolina | 3–4 | Florida | OT | Driedger | 4,838 | 31–13–5 | 67 | [56]
50 | April 26 | Florida | 1–4 | Nashville |  | Driedger | —[a] | 31–14–5 | 67 | [57]
51 | April 27 | Florida | 7–4 | Nashville |  | Knight | —[a] | 32–14–5 | 69 | [58]
52 | April 29 | Florida | 4–3 | Chicago | OT | Knight | 0 | 33–14–5 | 71 | [59]
| May: 4–0–0 (Home: 3–0–0 ; Road: 1–0–0)

# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Record | Pts | Recap
53 | May 1 | Florida | 5–4 | Chicago |  | Bobrovsky | 0 | 34–14–5 | 73 | [60]
54 | May 3 | Dallas | 4–5 | Florida | OT | Knight | 4,702 | 35–14–5 | 75 | [61]
55 | May 8 | Tampa Bay | 1–5 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 5,040 | 36–14–5 | 77 | [62]
56 | May 10 | Tampa Bay | 0–4 | Florida |  | Driedger | 5,040 | 37–14–5 | 79 | [63]

Legend:  Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Overtime/shootout loss (1 point) Postponement

### Playoffs

[edit]

Main article: 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs

2021 Stanley Cup playoffs

| Central Division First Round vs. (C3) Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa Bay won 4–2

# | Date | Visitor | Score | Home | OT | Decision | Attendance | Series | Recap
1 | May 16 | Tampa Bay | 5–4 | Florida |  | Bobrovsky | 9,646 | 0–1 | [64]
2 | May 18 | Tampa Bay | 3–1 | Florida |  | Driedger | 9,646 | 0–2 | [65]
3 | May 20 | Florida | 6–5 | Tampa Bay | OT | Bobrovsky | 9,508 | 1–2 | [66]
4 | May 22 | Florida | 2–6 | Tampa Bay |  | Bobrovsky | 9,762 | 1–3 | [67]
5 | May 24 | Tampa Bay | 1–4 | Florida |  | Knight | 11,551 | 2–3 | [68]
6 | May 26 | Florida | 0–4 | Tampa Bay |  | Knight | 10,092 | 2–4 | [69]

Legend:  Win Loss

## Draft picks

[edit]

See also: List of Florida Panthers draft picks

Below are the Florida Panthers selection at the 2020 NHL Draft which was held on October 6–7 at NHL Network Studios.

Round  | #  | Player  | Pos  | Nationally  | College/Junior/Club team (league)

|
|
|
|
|

1  | 12  | Anton Lundell | (C)  |  Finland  | HIFK (Liiga)
2  | 43  | Emil Heineman | (LW)  |  Sweden  | Leksands IF (SHL)
3  | 74  | Ty Smilanic | (C)  |  United States  | U.S. NTDP (USHL)
3  | 87  | Justin Sourdif | (RW)  |  Canada  | Vancouver Giants (WHL)
4  | 105  | Zachry Uens | (D)  |  Canada  | Merrimack Warriors (H-East)
5  | 153  | Kasper Puutio | (D)  |  Finland  | Everett Slivertips (WHL)
7  | 198  | Elliot Ekmark | (C)  |  Sweden  | Linkoping J20 (SuperElit)
7  | 212  | Devon Levi | (G)  |  Canada  | Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Spectators were in attendance, but the exact number was not reported.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Syracuse Crunch will have dual affiliation in 2021". The Post-Standard. January 6, 2021.
2. ^ Whyno, Stephen (October 6, 2020). "NHL trageting Jan. 1 to begin next season". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
3. ^ "Panthers rally past Predators, clinch playoff berth". NHL.com. April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
4. ^ "NHL Hockey Standings". www.nhl.com. National Hockey League.
5. ^ "2020-21 NHL schedule announced". NHL.com. December 23, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
6. ^ "NHL schedule changes; Stars open season Jan. 22 due to coronavirus". NHL.com. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
7. ^ "Chicago Blackhawks - Florida Panthers - January 17th, 2021". NHL.com.
8. ^ "Chicago Blackhawks - Florida Panthers - January 19th, 2021". NHL.com.
9. ^ "Hurricanes games postponed through Jan. 23 because of COVID-19". NHL.com. January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
10. ^ "Florida Panthers - Columbus Blue Jackets - January 26th, 2021". NHL.com.
11. ^ "Florida Panthers - Columbus Blue Jackets - January 28th, 2021". NHL.com.
12. ^ "Florida Panthers - Detroit Red Wings - January 30th, 2021". NHL.com.
13. ^ "Florida Panthers - Detroit Red Wings - January 31st, 2021". NHL.com.
14. ^ "Nashville Predators - Florida Panthers - February 4th, 2021". NHL.com.
15. ^ "Nashville Predators - Florida Panthers - February 5th, 2021". NHL.com.
16. ^ "Detroit Red Wings - Florida Panthers - February 7th, 2021". NHL.com.
17. ^ "Detroit Red Wings - Florida Panthers - February 9th, 2021". NHL.com.
18. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning - Florida Panthers - February 11th, 2021". NHL.com.
19. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning - Florida Panthers - February 13th, 2021". NHL.com.
20. ^ "Florida Panthers - Tampa Bay Lightning - February 15th, 2021". NHL.com.
21. ^ "Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - February 17th, 2021". NHL.com.
22. ^ "Florida Panthers - Detroit Red Wings - February 19th, 2021". NHL.com.
23. ^ "Florida Panthers - Detroit Red Wings - February 20th, 2021". NHL.com.
24. ^ "Dallas Stars - Florida Panthers - February 22nd, 2021". NHL.com.
25. ^ "Dallas Stars - Florida Panthers - February 24th, 2021". NHL.com.
26. ^ "Dallas Stars - Florida Panthers - February 25th, 2021". NHL.com.
27. ^ "Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - February 27th, 2021". NHL.com.
28. ^ "Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - March 1st, 2021". NHL.com.
29. ^ "Florida Panthers - Nashville Predators - March 4th, 2021". NHL.com.
30. ^ "Florida Panthers - Nashville Predators - March 6th, 2021". NHL.com.
31. ^ "Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - March 7th, 2021". NHL.com.
32. ^ "Florida Panthers - Columbus Blue Jackets - March 9th, 2021". NHL.com.
33. ^ "Nashville Predators - Carolina Hurricanes - March 11th, 2021". NHL.com.
34. ^ "Chicago Blackhawks - Florida Panthers - March 13th, 2021". NHL.com.
35. ^ "Chicago Blackhawks - Florida Panthers - March 15th, 2021". NHL.com.
36. ^ "Nashville Predators - Florida Panthers - March 18th, 2021". NHL.com.
37. ^ "Nashville Predators - Florida Panthers - March 20th, 2021". NHL.com.
38. ^ "Florida Panthers - Tampa Bay Lightning - March 21st, 2021". NHL.com.
39. ^ "Florida Panthers - Chicago Blackhawks - March 23rd, 2021". NHL.com.
40. ^ "Florida Panthers - Chicago Blackhawks - March 25th, 2021". NHL.com.
41. ^ "Florida Panthers - Dallas Stars - March 27th, 2021". NHL.com.
42. ^ "Florida Panthers - Dallas Stars - March 28th, 2021". NHL.com.
43. ^ "Detroit Red Wings - Florida Panthers - March 30th, 2021". NHL.com.
44. ^ "Detroit Red Wings - Florida Panthers - April 1st, 2021". NHL.com.
45. ^ "Columbus Blue Jackets - Florida Panthers - April 3rd, 2021". NHL.com.
46. ^ "Columbus Blue Jackets - Florida Panthers - April 4th, 2021". NHL.com.
47. ^ "Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - April 6th, 2021". NHL.com.
48. ^ "Florida Panthers - Carolina Hurricanes - April 8th, 2021". NHL.com.
49. ^ "Florida Panthers - Dallas Stars - April 10th, 2021". NHL.com.
50. ^ "Florida Panthers - Dallas Stars - April 13th, 2021". NHL.com.
51. ^ "Florida Panthers - Tampa Bay Lightning - April 15th, 2021". NHL.com.
52. ^ "Florida Panthers - Tampa Bay Lightning - April 17th, 2021". NHL.com.
53. ^ "Columbus Blue Jackets - Florida Panthers - April 19th, 2021". NHL.com.
54. ^ "Columbus Blue Jackets - Florida Panthers - April 20th, 2021". NHL.com.
55. ^ "Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - April 22nd, 2021". NHL.com.
56. ^ "Carolina Hurricanes - Florida Panthers - April 24th, 2021". NHL.com.
57. ^ "Florida Panthers - Nashville Predators - April 26th, 2021". NHL.com.
58. ^ "Florida Panthers - Nashville Predators - April 27th, 2021". NHL.com.
59. ^ "Florida Panthers - Chicago Blackhawks - April 29th, 2021". NHL.com.
60. ^ "Florida Panthers - Chicago Blackhawks - May 1st, 2021". NHL.com.
61. ^ "Dallas Stars - Florida Panthers - May 3rd, 2021". NHL.com.
62. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning - Florida Panthers - May 8th, 2021". NHL.com.
63. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning - Florida Panthers - May 10th, 2021". NHL.com.
64. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning - Florida Panthers - May 16th, 2021". NHL.com.
65. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning - Florida Panthers - May 18th, 2021". NHL.com.
66. ^ "Florida Panthers - Tampa Bay Lightning - May 20th, 2021". NHL.com.
67. ^ "Florida Panthers - Tampa Bay Lightning - May 22nd, 2021". NHL.com.
68. ^ "Tampa Bay Lightning - Florida Panthers - May 24th, 2021". NHL.com.
69. ^ "Florida Panthers - Tampa Bay Lightning - May 26th, 2021". NHL.com.

* v
* t
* e

Florida Panthers

* Founded in 1993
* Based in Sunrise, Florida

Franchise|

* Team
* General managers
* Coaches
* Players
* Captains
* Draft picks
* Expansion draft
* Seasons
* Current season

History|

* 1993 expansion
* Records
* Award winners
* Retired numbers
* Broadcasters

Personnel|

Owner(s)
Sunrise Sports and Entertainment (Vincent Viola, chairman)
General manager
Bill Zito
Head coach
Paul Maurice
Team captain
Aleksander Barkov
Current roster

Arenas|

* Miami Arena
* Amerant Bank Arena

Rivalries|

* Tampa Bay Lightning

Affiliates|

AHL
Charlotte Checkers
ECHL
Savannah Ghost Pirates

Media|

Scripps Sports (WSFL-TV)
Radio
WQAM

Culture and lore|

* Rat trick
* FTL War Memorial
* Stanley C. Panther
* Viktor E. Ratt

* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Florida Panthers seasons

1990s|

* 1990–91 . 1991–92 . 1992–93 . 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000

2000s|

* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10

2010s|

* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20

2020s|

* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24
* 2024–25

Highlighted seasons indicate Stanley Cup championship

* v
* t
* e

2020–21 NHL season

North|

* Calgary
* Edmonton
* Montreal
* Ottawa
* Toronto
* Vancouver
* Winnipeg

West|

* Anaheim
* Arizona
* Colorado
* Los Angeles
* Minnesota
* San Jose
* St. Louis
* Vegas

Central|

* Carolina
* Chicago
* Columbus
* Dallas
* Detroit
* Florida
* Nashville
* Tampa Bay

East|

* Boston
* Buffalo
* New Jersey
* NY Islanders
* NY Rangers
* Philadelphia
* Pittsburgh
* Washington

See also|

* Draft
* NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe
* Stanley Cup playoffs
* Stanley Cup Finals
* Transactions
* Three Star Awards
* Suspensions and fines

*[Pos]: Position
*[GP]: Games played
*[W]: Won
*[L]: Lost
*[OTL]: Overtime loss
*[RW]: Regulation wins
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template