NHL News: Brad Marchand’s teammate Carter Verhaeghe issues strong warning to Canadiens after tough Panthers’ loss

The Montreal Canadiens seem to have Florida Panthers‘ number this season, being one of the only NHL teams who have cracked Paul Maurice’s team. After the Habs defeated Brad Marchand and the Cats by a score of 4-2 at Amerant Bank Arena, Carter Verhaeghe voiced a bold message for the Canadiens, as both teams will meet again on April 1.

Though far from being called a rivalry, the animosity between the Panthers and Canadiens is impossible to miss whenever the two sides clash on the ice. The divisional opponents face three or four times every season, and each time tempers flare.

In recent years, the Panthers have enjoyed much more success than the Habs, taking advantage of Montreal’s weakened position to hand them lopsided defeats. However, as the Canadiens get back on their feet and push for a playoff spot in the NHL, they are determined to avenge those beatdowns at the hands of the Cats.

So far, so good. Montreal has walked away victorious from every meeting with Florida this season, boasting a 3-0-0 record against the Cats. The Canadiens made the journey down to Sunrise and defeated Marchand and the Panthers in a tight, gritty matchup.

However, both sides will have to do it all again on Tuesday, as the Panthers visit The City of Festivals in a game that seems destined to be a bloodbath. Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe has already raised the stakes, voicing a clear warning.

“It’ll be nice to get them back on their home ice,” Verhaeghe said after the 4-2 defeat, via NHL.com. “They’re a good team. They’re battling for their playoff lives. They always play us really well. It’s for us to stick to our game and play a little harder.”

Bad blood

The end of Sunday’s noon game in Florida has set up the bar for what should be an electric showdown at Bell Centre on Tuesday. With the game clock winding down and the game out of reach, Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola aimed a wicked slap shot towards the Canadiens’ crease, in a clear sign of anger and frustration.

The Canadiens took exception, as the Habs’ players paced down the ice to confront Mikkola. Chaos ensued as pushes and shoves rained down on the ice, with officials working to de-escalate the situation and end their afternoon in relative peace.

It was a sort of ‘bread for today, hunger for tomorrow’ solution, as this tension will linger in the air when the two sides face off in Montreal. These officials won’t have to worry about it themselves, and it will be up to the designated referees to control what is set to be a chaotic evening in The City of Saints.

Something more to play for

Eager to get one back on the Habs, the Panthers are excited about their next opportunity for revenge, especially Verhaeghe, who has something more on the line. Known for his clutch goals, ‘Swaggy’ has been mired in a goal-scoring drought lately, dragging a nine-game scoreless slump.

Verhaeghe had a couple of grade-A chances against the Habs but seems unable to buy a goal as of late. Hockey, like all sports, is about weathering the storms and managing the ebbs and flows. Verhaeghe knows that and is patiently waiting for the puck to finally bounce his way—hopefully against the Canadiens, who have been a stone in the Panthers’ shoes this season.