So, you're looking for the score. It’s one of those nights where "the Panthers" could mean two very different things depending on whether you’re holding a hockey stick or a pigskin.
If you are checking in on the ice, the Florida Panthers are currently locked in a divisional showdown against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight, January 16, 2026. The puck dropped at 7:00 PM EST at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh.
Since the game is live right now, the score is fluid. Entering the matchup, Florida (24-18-3) is coming off a gritty 4-3 win over Buffalo, while the Hurricanes (28-15-4) are looking to bounce back from a shutout loss to St. Louis. Honestly, it’s a massive game for Eastern Conference seeding. If you’re seeing this mid-period, check your live tracker—Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe have been the hot hands for Florida lately, while Carolina’s defensive unit remains one of the stingiest in the league.
What is the score for the panthers game in the NFL?
Now, if you were actually asking about the Carolina Panthers on the football field, the story is a bit different today.
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Their season just ended in heartbreaking fashion. Last Saturday, January 10, the Panthers hosted the Los Angeles Rams in a Wild Card playoff thriller at Bank of America Stadium. It was a rollercoaster. Carolina clawed back from a 14-0 hole to take a 31-27 lead late in the fourth quarter after Bryce Young found Jalen Coker for a 7-yard touchdown.
But then Matthew Stafford happened.
With just 38 seconds left on the clock, Stafford hit Colby Parkinson for a 19-yard score, ending the Panthers' season with a 34-31 final score. It was a tough pill to swallow for a team that had just clinched the NFC South, but it proved the franchise is finally heading in the right direction under Dave Canales.
Tracking the Florida Panthers Live
Back to the hockey rink. If you're trying to figure out what is the score for the panthers game right this second, here is the best way to stay updated without refreshing a broken app every thirty seconds:
- Watch Live: The game is being broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network (formerly Bally Sports) and Scripps for local Florida fans.
- Radio: If you're driving, tune into 560 WQAM for the South Florida call.
- Key Stats: Keep an eye on the power play. Florida’s special teams have been hovering around 18.7%, which is middle-of-the-pack, but their penalty kill is a top-5 unit in the NHL right now.
Sergei Bobrovsky is likely the man between the pipes tonight. He’s been a workhorse, but with a save percentage sitting around .877 this season, he’s had to rely on a lot of goal support from the Cats' top six.
Why the Score Matters Tonight
This isn't just another mid-January game. The Atlantic Division is a meat grinder. Florida currently sits 7th in the Atlantic, but they are only a few points out of a more comfortable wild-card spot.
Carolina, on the other hand, is leading the Metropolitan Division. They play a heavy, puck-possession style that usually gives Florida fits. If the Panthers can steal two points in Raleigh tonight, it signals they are ready for another deep playoff run like the one that defined their 2024 season.
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What's Next for Carolina (NFL)?
Since the NFL Panthers are out of the playoffs, fans are already looking toward 2026. The opponents were actually just finalized a few days ago. Because they won the NFC South, they’ll have a first-place schedule next year.
Basically, it’s going to be a gauntlet. They’ll host the Bears, Lions, Seahawks, and Broncos at home, while traveling to face the Packers and Steelers on the road. The front office just picked up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option, so the focus is entirely on building around him this offseason.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're following the NHL game tonight, keep a close watch on the second period. Florida has been prone to "lapses" in the middle frame lately. If you’re a betting person, the over/under was set at 5.5 or 6.0 goals for this one, and given the offensive talent on both sides, the "over" is usually a safe bet when these two teams clash.
For the latest live updates, pull up the NHL official GameCenter or the ESPN live scoreboard. Both provide real-time shot tracking and advanced analytics so you can see if the score actually reflects how the teams are playing.