SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers carry a dramatically revived power play into Thursday’s 7 p.m. home game against the Vancouver Canucks at Amerant Bank Arena, after converting at an 18.4 percent clip following a stretch that saw them ranked last in the NHL at 3.6 percent.

After registering one power play goal in their first 28 attempts, the Panthers went 6-for-10 against Columbus and Buffalo to fuel the turnaround, Florida Hockey Now reported. Brady Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart each broke out of scoring droughts with four goals apiece over those two games.

Vancouver arrives in Broward County riding a five-game losing streak and carrying the weight of last season’s numbers: the Canucks finished with the fewest points in the NHL at 58, ranked 31st in offense at 2.56 goals per game, and last in team goals-against average at 3.83. Only two seasons earlier, Vancouver finished first in the Pacific Division with 109 points.

The goaltending situation in Vancouver has compounded the team’s struggles. Starter Thatcher Demko remains out recovering from hip surgery, with his return estimated around the end of the calendar year. Kevin Lankinen, who handled the bulk of starts over the past two seasons, carries a 6.88 goals-against average and .786 save percentage this season. Waiver claim Leevi Meriläinen has been steadier in three starts, posting a 2.40 GAA and .926 save percentage, including 35 saves in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Islanders - a game Vancouver led 2-0 before Kyle Palmieri scored the winner in the third period.

First-year head coach Manny Malhotra, who spent three seasons as a Canucks assistant, two more as head coach of their AHL affiliate, and three of his 17 NHL playing seasons in Vancouver, acknowledged the team’s inconsistency after Tuesday’s loss. “We know we’re capable of tilting the ice,” Malhotra said. “We know we’re capable of playing much better. It’s a matter of putting the 60-minute effort together. For me that’s the long and short of it.”

Despite Vancouver’s struggles, the Panthers have a notable blind spot against the Canucks, losing five of the past six meetings - including all four matchups during Florida’s two Stanley Cup championship seasons. Vancouver leads the all-time regular season series 22-14-4 with six ties.

The Panthers’ next home game follows Saturday against the Seattle Kraken at 6 p.m. The two clubs will meet again Jan. 9 in Vancouver.