Ducks vs. Panthers Tonight: Puck Drop, Key Absences, and the Matchups That Could Swing It

The Anaheim Ducks visit the Florida Panthers tonight in Sunrise for a cross-conference test that will say a lot about each club’s early-season trajectory. Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena (4:00 p.m. PT / 1:00 a.m. Cairo, Wed), with both teams looking to steady form after uneven October stretches.

What’s at stake

Florida opened its homestand intent on banking points, and recent history in this building favors the hosts: the Panthers are 9-0-1 in their last 10 home games against Anaheim. For the Ducks, a productive road swing has flashed a higher offensive ceiling than last year; keeping that pace against a structured Panthers group would validate the progress.

Who’s in, who’s out

• Florida scratches & returns: The Panthers will be without Brad Marchand (personal), removing a primary driver from their top six and power play. Depth winger Jonah Gadjovich (upper-body) is also sidelined, while Noah Gregor is set for his club debut to juice the forecheck. Expect lineup shuffles on the wings and a heavier usage night for Florida’s two-way centers.

• Anaheim health check: No new major injuries were flagged at morning skate. The Ducks’ top nine remains intact, an encouraging sign for a team that has leaned on improved pace and secondary scoring.

Probable goalies: Daniil Tarasov is expected to get the nod for Florida in his first home start of the season, with Lukáš Dostál likely opposite for Anaheim. Final confirmations come at warmups.

Tactical pressure points

1) Middle-lane traffic vs. east-west switches
Anaheim’s best passages on this trip came when it attacked the middle with speed, then bounced the puck laterally to pull defenses out of their posts. Florida counters with layered structure and strong backpressure; if the Panthers seal the middle early, the Ducks will be pushed into lower-danger looks from the boards.

2) Faceoff discipline and set-piece execution
This matchup has a whiff of special-teams swing to it—not just on power plays, but off offensive-zone draws. Florida generate high-value chances from set plays (bump to the half wall, quick seam, net-front jam). Anaheim’s counter is to win more of the 50/50s and clear the first wave cleanly.

3) Forecheck vs. retrievals
Without Marchand, Florida’s forecheck still hums but loses some cunning on second touches. If Anaheim’s defense retrieves cleanly and hits the middle with one pass, the Ducks can tilt the ice. Conversely, if Florida pins with two forwards low and a high reload, Anaheim’s breakouts could bog down.

Matchups to watch

• Florida’s top pair vs. Anaheim’s rush line: When the Ducks’ first unit enters with control, they create layered options for the late trailer. Florida’s gap control at the blue line will decide how many of those entries turn into real chances.

• Net-front battles: With Marchand out, Florida may lean even harder on crease traffic and tips. Anaheim’s box-outs and goalie sightlines are critical; a single failed clear can flip momentum.

• Energy line minutes: The third periods of Anaheim road games have often hinged on depth shifts. Watch the Ducks’ third line against Florida’s checking unit—whichever group wins the territorial war there likely swings overall shot share.

Recent form snapshot

• Panthers: .500 through 10 with a stark home/road split—confident at home, inconsistent on the road. Expect a measured start and controlled risk management, especially through the first 10 minutes.

• Ducks: Trending up offensively compared to last season, with transition chances and quick-strike counters fueling spurts. The question is sustainability against a playoff-hardened defensive shell.

Keys if each team is to win

Florida Panthers

• Cash in on set plays off OZ draws.

• Keep rush chances to the outside; protect the royal road.

• Get secondary scoring to cover for Marchand’s absence.

Anaheim Ducks

• Exit cleanly on the first pass; avoid rim-and-hope clears.

• Stay out of the box; make Florida beat you 5-on-5.

• Drive the middle lane on entries to force Florida’s D into pivots.

Even in October, this matchup carries weight. For Florida, it’s about banking home points and proving their depth can shoulder minutes without a star winger. For Anaheim, it’s a measuring stick: can a livelier attack dent one of the league’s most disciplined defensive outfits in their building? If the Ducks’ speed survives the Panthers’ structure—and the special-teams ledger stays even—this one has all the makings of a tight, late-third decision.