STEPPING UP FOR 200 GAMES

MacKenzie Weeger commemorated his 200th career game by recording an assist and helping the Panthers defeat the Chicago Blackhawks, 6-3. The defenseman took on a bigger role late in the 2020-2021 season, scoring a then career-high 36 points after fellow blueliner Aaron Ekblad was sidelined with injuries. “When [Ekblad] went down, I kind of just wanted to take it upon myself to step up,” Weegar said. “Everybody around me has been stepping up their game, and it’s allowed me to step up my game. I’ve just got to thank my teammates.”