Panthers aim to keep Canucks winless run going with Tkachuk brothers driving offence

The Story

Florida will look to continue its strong play at home as it hosts the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night in Sunrise, Fla., aiming to hand the visiting club a sixth straight defeat.

The Panthers’ recent surge has been powered by Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, who combined for a standout offensive performance. Monday, Brady recorded an assist during Florida’s 5-3 loss at Buffalo, then Tuesday at Columbus he delivered a natural hat trick over an 8:03 span of the second period while Matthew assisted on each goal. Florida followed with a 7-3 win over the Blue Jackets, after avoiding a third straight defeat.

Both brothers have also contributed to shifting expectations for Florida’s early season, which has featured an unsettled start. Brady previously went without a point over Florida’s first five games of 2026-27, while Matthew had three goals and an assist during that stretch. Still, at 3-2-2, Florida has yet to win back-to-back games in the young campaign, with Thursday marking just its second home game in its first eight.

Brady said, “It wasn't the start (to the season) I wanted, personally, but just got to stick with it,” adding, “Now, I've got to start returning the favor for (Matthew).”

Vancouver arrives in a difficult stretch after starting the season 2-1-0. The Canucks have since fallen into a five-game skid during which they have totalled nine goals, including Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders. Vancouver trailed 2-0 against the Islanders before Max Sasson and Brock Boeser scored in the second period to level the game, but New York scored early in the third and held on.

Canucks coach Manny Malhotra said, “I thought the effort was much better (Tuesday),” noting that “a lot of positive takeaways” followed Vancouver’s return from a 2-0 deficit.

Vancouver also came away with a positive defensive note Tuesday, as it was the first time this season the Canucks did not allow a power-play goal. Florida, meanwhile, has gone 6-for-10 on the power play in its last two games.

On the individual front, Elias Pettersson recorded an assist Tuesday to move to nine points and has 14 points in 13 career games against the Panthers. Leevi Merilainen made 35 saves in his start Tuesday, posting a 2.41 goals-against average through three starts, while teammate Kevin Lankinen is 1-4-0 with a 6.79 GAA as a starter.

In net, the Panthers’ Jacob Markstrom is day-to-day with undisclosed tightness, and Akira Schmid—who has a 3.72 GAA in three games—could make his second straight start. Cooper Black was called up from Charlotte of the AHL and could be an option to make his NHL debut Thursday.

Looking back at recent meetings, Seth Jones scored twice the last time these teams met in Sunrise on Nov. 17, 2025. Sam Reinhart has scored all four of his goals in the last two contests and has 20 points in 19 career games against Vancouver.