Panthers Move Game Time So Players Can Watch Canes CFP Final

Matthew Tkachuk got his wish. The Florida Panthers star forward wanted to watch the Miami Hurricanes play for the College Football Playoff national championship, and now he can thanks to a schedule change that puts South Florida sports fans first.

The NHL moved the Panthers’ home game against Philadelphia from 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, clearing the way for players and fans to watch the Hurricanes battle for college football’s ultimate prize that same evening.

“I think it would be awesome if we could move our game a little earlier so we could all watch the Canes,” Tkachuk said after the Panthers’ 6-2 victory over Boston on Thursday night. “I’m sure a lot of guys on our team would love to watch that game.”

The request made perfect sense for a team that calls South Florida home. Several Panthers players have connections to the University of Miami, and Tkachuk himself has become one of the region’s most vocal supporters of local teams across sports.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice backed his captain’s idea immediately.

“We should move our game,” Maurice said Thursday. “It’s a huge deal for this area. I think it would be great for our fans and our players.”

The NHL and the Panthers organization listened. Within 24 hours, the league announced the time change, giving South Florida sports fans a doubleheader they won’t soon forget.

The move highlights the tight-knit nature of South Florida’s sports community. The Panthers, who captured their first Stanley Cup championship in 2023-24, have embraced their role as part of the region’s athletic fabric alongside the Dolphins, Heat, and now a Miami football program that’s reached unprecedented heights.

For Tkachuk, who signed an eight-year extension to stay in Sunrise, the schedule change represents more than convenience. It’s about supporting the broader South Florida sports scene that has exploded over the past few years.

The Hurricanes’ run to the CFP championship game marks the program’s biggest moment since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami hasn’t played for a national title since 2001, making this appearance a generational opportunity for fans across South Florida.

The Panthers’ afternoon start against Philadelphia also creates a unique atmosphere at Amerant Bank Arena. Matinee games often bring different energy, with families and casual fans mixing with the die-hard supporters who pack the building for evening contests.

Philadelphia won’t mind the earlier start time either. The Flyers are in the thick of their own playoff race, and any NHL game provides crucial points regardless of when the puck drops.

The schedule adjustment continues a trend of professional athletes supporting college programs in their markets. But Tkachuk’s advocacy goes beyond typical lip service. The 27-year-old forward has consistently shown up for Miami sporting events and used his platform to promote local teams.

Maurice, meanwhile, has built a reputation for understanding his team’s place in the community. The veteran coach knows that South Florida sports fans juggle multiple loyalties, and accommodating those interests only strengthens the Panthers’ local support.

The Panthers enter their modified schedule riding momentum from Thursday’s convincing win over Boston. Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe both found the back of the net, while Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 28 shots to improve his record to 21-9-2 on the season.

Philadelphia arrives in Sunrise with playoff aspirations of their own. The Flyers sit in the middle of the Eastern Conference wild-card race, making every game crucial as the regular season winds toward its March conclusion.

But for one afternoon in January, the Panthers and their fans will share a common goal beyond the two points up for grabs against Philadelphia. They’ll want to wrap up business quickly, then settle in to watch their neighbors from Coral Gables chase history on college football’s biggest stage.

The Panthers-Flyers matchup now begins at 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20, at Amerant Bank Arena. The College Football Playoff championship game featuring Miami kicks off later that evening.

For Tkachuk and South Florida sports fans, it’s the perfect Monday night setup – Panthers hockey followed by Hurricanes football, with a championship on the line.