Florida Panthers News

Schwindt has four points (3G / 1A) in 22 games this season and will be sidelined on Friday due to a lower-body injury. Luke Kunin will draw into the lineup as Schwindt's replacement.

Tarasov allowed five goals in consecutive games heading into the Olympic break and will hope to rebound when he returns to the crease on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. The two-game blip for the 26-year-old Tarasov put a halt to his best stretch of the season, when he had a 2.54 GAA and .913 SV% over 13 games (8-4-1). The Panthers enter Friday's contest as slight -110 home favourites against a Sabres team that defeated them 5-3 earlier this month.

Cole Schwindt (lower body) will not play on Friday, allowing Kunin to re-enter the lineup. The 28-year-old Kunin is averaging 8:38 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 43 games this season.

Tarasov allowed five goals in consecutive games heading into the Olympic break and will hope to rebound when he returns to the crease on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. The two-game blip for the 26-year-old Tarasov put a halt to his best stretch of the season, when he had a 2.54 GAA and .913 SV% over 13 games (8-4-1). The Panthers enter Friday's contest as slight -110 home favourites against a Sabres team that defeated them 5-3 earlier this month.

Tkachuk played an integral role in Team USA's Gold Medal performance at the Olympics, scoring six points (0G / 6A) in six games, and should be ready to play when Florida returns to action on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old Tkachuk did not make his season debut until mid-January, returning from an injury, and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 10 games this season.

Rodrigues did not play in Florida's final game before the Olympic break due to an illness, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old Rodrigues is averaging 17:15 time-on-ice and has 25 points (10G / 15A) in 56 games this season.

Bobrovsky managed a winning 21-17-1 record before the Olympic break, but the Panthers will need him to elevate his game during their late-season push for a playoff spot. The 37-year-old veteran goalie lost four of 13 games (4-9-0) heading into the break, posting a dreadful 3.87 GAA and .831 SV%. Still, the Panthers enter Thursday's contest as -149 home favourites against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that played last night and lost 4-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Ekblad did not play in Florida's final game before the Olympic break, but should be well rested and ready to go when they return to action on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 29-year-old Ekblad is averaging 22:25 time-on-ice, recording 21 points (3G / 18A), 67 hits, and 88 blocks in 55 games this season.

Marchand scored one assist in four games while representing Team Canada during their Silver Medal performance at the Olympics, and will be ready to suit up when Florida returns to action on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 37-year-old Marchand was having an outstanding season before the Olympic break and hopes to pick up where he left off. He has 50 points (25G / 25A) in 46 games this season.

Nosek suffered a knee injury during the offseason and has yet to play in 2025-26, but appears to be nearing his debut after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. Nosek is entering his 11th NHL season after winning his first Stanley Cup with Florida last season in a complementary role, which saw him put up a goal and nine points in 59 games played.

Kulikov has not played since the second game of the season due to an upper-body injury, but is nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. The 35-year-old defenseman had 13 points (4G / 9A), 71 blocks, and 114 hits in 70 games last season.

Lundell missed Finland's final preliminary game due to an illness, but he was back at practice on Tuesday and is expected to play on Wednesday. Lundell has picked up one goal in two Olympic games so far.

At 37-years-old, Team Canada will give the veteran a breather on the second half of a back-to-back, inserting Seth Jarvis onto the fourth line. Expect Marchand to be back in the lineup on Sunday.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 29-year-old Ekblad is averaging 22:25 time-on-ice, recording 21 points (3G / 18A), 67 hits, and 88 blocks in 55 games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. Brad Marchand returned from a one-week absence in Florida's previous game and is likely just out for maintenance before he joins Team Canada at the Olympics. The 37-year-old Marchand is having an outstanding season, with 50 points (25G / 25A) in 46 games.

Hovorka is an undrafted Czech defenseman that has yet to play an NHL game. The 24-year-old Hovorka has spent the past two seasons in the AHL and has 10 points (2G / 8A) through 30 games with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL) this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 27-year-old Boqvist is averaging 10:52 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 50 games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 24-year-old Sebrango has not played in over three weeks and has two assists in 18 games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 32-year-old Rodrigues has 25 points (10G / 15A) in 56 games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, heading into their final game before the Olympic Break, the Panthers will undergo numerous lineup changes. Regulars Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, and Aaron Ekblad will exit the lineup in favour of Luke Kunin, Jesper Boqvist, and Donovan Sebrango. The 28-year-old Kunin has four points (2G / 2A) in 42 games this season.