If you’re checking your phone today wondering who is playing the panthers, you’re probably either a frustrated NFL fan in Charlotte or a very busy hockey fan in Sunrise. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the sports landscape for these two teams couldn't be more different. One is already packing up lockers, while the other is right in the thick of a grueling road trip through the Northeast.
Honestly, it’s a weird day to be a fan. Let’s get into the specifics of what’s happening on the ice and the turf right now.
The Florida Panthers: Tonight in Washington
For the Florida Panthers, the answer to who is playing the panthers today is the Washington Capitals. This isn't just a random mid-season game; it’s the final stop of a massive six-game road swing that has seen the Cats bouncing all over the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions.
The puck drops at 7:00 PM EST at Capital One Arena.
If you’ve been following the season, you know Florida has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately. Just last night, they were in Raleigh taking on the Carolina Hurricanes. That 1/16/2026 matchup was a tight one, but it ended in a 6-5 loss for Florida. Now, they have to turn around and play a rested Capitals team on a back-to-back. That’s rough.
The Roster Reality
Florida is dealing with some heavy lifting right now. Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe have been the lifeblood of the offense, but the team is feeling the absence of Aleksander Barkov. Here is how the stats are looking for the key players currently on the ice:
- Sam Reinhart: Leading the charge with 45 points (24 goals, 21 assists).
- Brad Marchand: Yes, he’s still a factor, putting up 46 points so far this season.
- Sergei Bobrovsky: He’s been under fire, especially after that 6-2 blowout against Montreal on January 8th.
After tonight’s game in D.C., the team finally gets to go home. They’ll face the San Jose Sharks on Monday, January 19th, at Amerant Bank Arena. It’s been a long stretch on the road—Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, and Carolina—and the fatigue is starting to show in the defensive zone.
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The Carolina Panthers: Season Over (The Playoff Heartbreak)
Now, if you were asking who is playing the panthers in the NFL, the news is much grimmer. The Carolina Panthers are playing... nobody. Their 2025-2026 season officially ended exactly one week ago on January 10, 2026.
It was a brutal exit.
Carolina actually clawed their way into the playoffs this year, clinching the NFC South with an 8-9 record. They hosted the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round at Bank of America Stadium. It was a thriller, but the Panthers fell short, losing 34-31. Bryce Young had a decent showing, rushing for a touchdown and throwing another to Jalen Coker, but Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua (who had a monster 111-yard game) were just too much in the fourth quarter.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Since the pads are off, the focus has immediately shifted to the 2026 opponents. We already know who they’ll be facing when the new season kicks off in September. The NFL released the 2026 opponent list on January 5th.
Home Games at Bank of America Stadium:
- NFC South Rivals: Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers
- NFC North: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
- AFC North: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
- Performance-based: Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos
Away Trips:
- NFC South Rivals: Falcons, Saints, Buccaneers
- NFC North: Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
- AFC North: Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Performance-based: Philadelphia Eagles
Basically, the "who is playing the panthers" question for football fans is now a long-term waiting game. The schedule won't have exact dates or times until the spring, but that trip to Philadelphia and the home game against the Ravens are already looking like the "must-see" tickets of the year.
Why the Confusion Happens
It’s easy to get these two mixed up, especially in mid-January. You’ve got a hockey team in the middle of a regular-season grind and a football team that just exited the postseason.
The Florida Panthers are currently 24-18-3. They are sitting in a decent spot but need to tighten up the defense if they want to repeat the deep playoff runs of years past. Keep an eye on the rookie Mackie Samoskevich—he’s been getting more ice time lately and seems to be finding his rhythm.
On the flip side, the Carolina Panthers are entering an offseason of "what ifs." Chuba Hubbard had a great 2025 season, and the defense showed flashes of brilliance, but the NFC South remains one of the most unpredictable divisions in sports.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to catch a game or track the progress of either team, here is what you need to do next:
- For Hockey Fans: Tune into the Florida vs. Washington game tonight at 7:00 PM EST on Scripps or NHL Power Play. This is a vital "character game" to see if they can bounce back from the Carolina loss.
- For Football Fans: Keep an eye on the 2026 NFL Draft order. With the Panthers' Wild Card exit, they’ll be drafting in the middle of the pack. The focus will likely be on bolstering the offensive line to keep Bryce Young upright.
- Ticket Watch: Florida Panthers home tickets for the January 19th game against the Sharks are currently starting around $31 on resale markets. If you're in South Florida, it's a cheap way to see a high-caliber team.
The answer to who is playing the panthers depends entirely on whether you're looking for ice or grass, but for today, the action is strictly in the NHL.