NHL Game of the Week: Florida Panthers vs. Dallas Stars

In an exciting matchup on the international stage, the Dallas Stars will face off against the Florida Panthers as part of the 2024 NHL Global Series in Tampere, Finland.

This two-game set will take place Friday and Saturday at the Nokia Arena. This brings a unique touch to the NHL’s worldwide viewership and fanbase centered on Finnish hockey culture.

The Stars Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell, and Roope Hintz will return to their homeland of Finland, joined by Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. Barkov in particular made history last season as the first Finnish player to captain a Stanley Cup-winning team.

The matchup is particularly fitting, considering both teams are off to strong starts this season, with both teams looking to look deep postseason runs by taking care of the start of the schedule.

Early Season Success

The Dallas Stars have kicked off their season winning seven of their first nine games, including a recent 4-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

In that game, the Stars showcased their power-play greatness, jumping to a 3-0 lead. Additionally, Dallas managed an impressive 5-2 win against the Boston Bruins, marking their first victory in Boston since 2018.

On the other hand, the defending Stanley Cup champions the Florida Panthers are in search of back-to-back titles. They currently sit at the top of the Atlantic Division, having won four of their last five games despite early-season rough patches and injuries to key players.

"Finnish Mafia"

The matchup has been dubbed the “Finnish Mafia.” Miro Heiskanen, who has recently found his touch with pucks and their relationship to the back of the net, will be key to the Stars' power-play efforts against the Panthers.

Roope Hintz is also a strong commander, creating four goals and four assists in his first nine games this season. Together with Esa Lindell, the trio will be motivated to perform on home soil.

Dallas has quite the lineup, featuring stars like Jason Robertson and Tyler Seguin, but the focus will be on how well the Finnish trio can elevate their game in front of a supportive home crowd.

Panthers' Offensive Firepower

Florida's offensive capabilities come from the dynamic duo of Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett, both ranked among the top scorers in the NHL. The Panthers have been impressive on the road, outscoring their opponents 14-6 over the last three games.

Another player to watch is Panthers forward Anton Lundell. With 12 points in 11 games, he has been crucial in filling absences opened by injuries. Lundell's ability to perform in such notice will be vital as the Panthers look to return the States victorious.

Defensive Differences

On the defensive front, the Stars boast the top-ranked penalty-killing unit in the NHL, successfully stifling 93.1% of their opponents' power plays.

This efficiency will be tested against Florida’s potent power-play unit, adding an extra layer of entertainable defense to the matchup itself.

While there is no clear insight as to who will win, this game is certain to give fans a potential preview into a very possible postseason matchup.

Bronwyn Liber is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email brl5354@psu.edu.