You’ve been checking the scores, maybe catching the highlights on your phone, and now you’re asking the big question: when do the Florida Panthers play next? After that 5-2 win against the Washington Capitals on Saturday, January 17, the Cats are heading back to Sunrise.
The short answer is they face the San Jose Sharks at Amerant Bank Arena. This home game is set for Monday, January 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. Honestly, if you’re a fan, this is one of those matchups that feels like a breather but actually carries a lot of weight for the standings.
Florida Panthers: What You Need to Know About the Upcoming Schedule
The schedule for the rest of January is basically a whirlwind of travel and high-stakes hockey. After they wrap up with San Jose, the guys are packing their bags for a three-game road trip through some of the coldest cities in the league.
The Next Five Games
- Monday, Jan 19 vs. San Jose Sharks (Home): Puck drop is at 7:00 PM ET. You can catch this one on Scripps Sports.
- Thursday, Jan 22 at Winnipeg Jets (Away): A late-night start for South Florida fans at 8:00 PM ET.
- Saturday, Jan 24 at Minnesota Wild (Away): This one starts at 9:00 PM ET. It’s going to be a long night.
- Sunday, Jan 25 at Chicago Blackhawks (Away): Back-to-back nights. They play at 7:00 PM ET in the Windy City.
- Tuesday, Jan 27 vs. Utah Mammoth (Home): They return to Sunrise at 7:00 PM ET.
It’s kind of a brutal stretch. Playing in Minnesota and then flying straight to Chicago for a game the next night is the kind of thing that tests a roster’s depth. Coach Paul Maurice is going to have to manage Sergei Bobrovsky’s minutes carefully here.
🔗 Read more: Llave de la Champions League 2025: Por qué el nuevo formato lo cambia todo
The Olympic Break is Looming
One thing that’s making this month feel so frantic is the upcoming 20-day break in February. Because of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, the NHL is basically shutting down for nearly three weeks.
The Panthers are sending a small army to Italy. We’re talking about Matthew Tkachuk for Team USA and Sam Reinhart for Team Canada. Gustav Forsling will be holding it down for Sweden, and the Finnish contingent—Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola—will all be representing their home country.
One major bummer? Aleksander Barkov. Our captain is going to miss the Olympics entirely after that knee surgery back in September. It’s a huge loss for Finland, and honestly, a bit of a worry for Panthers fans as we look toward the postseason.
Key Injuries and Roster Moves
Keeping track of who’s actually on the ice has been a full-time job lately.
- Brad Marchand (yeah, still weird seeing him in a Cats jersey) was placed on IR on January 6 with an undisclosed injury.
- Seth Jones is also out with an upper-body injury since the Winter Classic.
- On the bright side, Sandis Vilmanis just made his NHL debut and seems to be earning some real respect from the coaching staff.
Why the Jan 27 Game is Special
If you only pick one game to watch in the next couple of weeks, make it the home game against the Utah Mammoth on January 27. It’s not just about the points. It’s a "welcome back" night for Nate Schmidt and Vitek Vanecek.
Those guys were huge for the 2025 Cup run. Seeing them in Utah colors is going to be surreal. Expect a big video tribute and probably a few misty eyes in the stands.
How to Catch the Action
Basically, if you’re in Florida, your best bet is Scripps Sports. Most of the upcoming games are being broadcast there. If you’re a cord-cutter, you’re looking at streaming options through the usual NHL platforms, though blackouts are always a pain.
The "when do the Florida Panthers play next" question is easy to answer, but the "how will they play" is where it gets interesting. With the defensive core a bit banged up and the Olympic break distracting everyone, these late-January games are "trap games" if I’ve ever seen them.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the Gate Times: If you're heading to the United Center for the Chicago game on the 25th, gates open at 4:30 PM. Give yourself time; Chicago traffic in January is no joke.
- Watch the Backup: With back-to-back games on the 24th and 25th, expect Daniil Tarasov to get a start. He’s been solid with a .904 save percentage, but the Wild’s offense is relentless.
- Follow the AHL Call-ups: Keep an eye on Sandis Vilmanis. If he keeps playing the way he did against Buffalo, he might just force his way into a permanent roster spot even after the veterans return from IR.