Preview: Hurricanes at Panthers, Friday, December 19, 2025 SUNRISE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Carolina Hurricanes, riding a hot goaltender, visit the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on Friday night in a matchup of Eastern Conference foes trending in opposite directions. The Hurricanes (21-11-0) enter with the NHL’s fourth-best points percentage and have won seven of their last 10 games. Their recent success has been anchored by goaltender , who has been stellar in December. is on a personal four-game winning streak, posting a .963 save percentage over that span, including a 23-save performance in a 4-1 win over Columbus on Dec. 9 and a 15-save shutout against Calgary on Nov. 30. Carolina is coming off a 3-2 shootout victory over Philadelphia on Sunday. Conversely, the Panthers (17-15-0) have struggled for consistency, dropping six of their last 10. They showed a spark in their most recent outing, a 5-2 road win over in-state rival Tampa Bay on Monday. Forward Sam Reinhart led the charge with two goals and six shots on net. Reinhart has been a bright spot, recording 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in his last 10 contests. Carolina’s defensive structure, ranked among the league’s best, will be tested by Florida’s offensive push. The Hurricanes have allowed just 2.31 goals per game over their last eight contests. The Panthers, averaging 3.19 goals per game, will need Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe, who had a goal and an assist Monday, to penetrate that defense. This game opens a critical home-and-home set between the teams, who will meet again in Carolina on Tuesday. The Hurricanes currently hold a significant edge in the standings, but the Panthers have shown an ability to score in bunches at home. The matchup in net is pivotal. ’s recent form contrasts with a Florida goaltending duo that has combined for a .899 save percentage this season. If the Panthers are to halt Carolina’s momentum, they must solve early. Friday’s contest begins a busy pre-Christmas stretch for both clubs. Carolina travels to Tampa Bay on Saturday, while Florida hosts St. Louis.