Greer has appeared in Florida's previous three playoff games but will head to the press box after being replaced by Mackie Samoskevich for Game 2 on Wednesday. Greer enjoyed his best offensive season in 2024-25, with six goals and 17 points in 81 games played, but will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday.
Samoskevich has not appeared in Florida's lineup since Game 3 of their opening-round series vs. Tampa Bay but will draw back into the Panthers' lineup for Game 2 in Toronto on Wednesday. The 22-year-old will replace A.J. Greer on Florida's fourth line. In 72 regular-season games this season, Samoskevich had 15 goals and 31 points in his rookie campaign.
Ekblad was suspended for two games for elblowing Brandon Hagel in Game 4 vs. the Lightning, but will be back in the lineup for Game 2 in Toronto. Ekblad has missed 22 of the last 24 games due to multiple suspensions, but made an impact in his only two games, scoring one goal with three SOG (eight attempts), six hits and four blocked shots.
The Panthers selected Jansson in the fourth-round (No.125 overall) in 2022. The 21-year-old defenseman spent the 2024-25 season in the SHL, where he scored one goal with three assists (four points) in 50 games with Lulea HF. Expect him to report to Charlotte (AHL) if he makes the move to North America in 2025-26.
After besting their state rivals in just five games, the Panthers will of course stick with Bobrovsky between the pipes for the opening game of their second round matchup against the Maple Leafs. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner dropped just a single game and posted a .904 SV% in round one, including a 26-save, series clinching effort in Game 5 on Wednesday. The reigning Stanley Cup champions enter action on Monday at -125 on the money line.
The Panthers will of course have their franchise netminder between the pipes when they search for a series clinching victory in Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Bobrovsky turned in a solid performance in Game 4, allowing just a pair of goals on 20 shots in the 4-2 win. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has posted a 2.01 GAA and a .902 SV% through the first four games of the series. The Panthers enter action on Wednesday at -105 on the money line.
Balinskis played the first two games of Florida's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, recording a +2 plus/minus and four hits. He exited the lineup when Aaron Ekblad returned from a suspension in Game 3 but will draw back in on Wednesday for Game 5.
Ekblad was not penalized on the play and eventually scored the tying goal in Florida's 4-2 victory in Game 4. Hagel suffered an undisclosed injury and has already been ruled out for Game 5. Uvis Balinskis will likely draw back into the Panthers lineup in place of Ekblad.
Marcus Johansson (lower body) did not play Minnesota's previous game but will re-enter the lineup for Game 5 on Tuesday, sending Hinostroza to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 31-year-old Hinostroza played 11:57 and was held off the scoresheet in Game 4, his first playoff action in five years.
After a 19-save shutout in Game 2, giving the Panthers a 2-0 series lead, Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 21 shots (.810 SV%) in Saturday's 5-1 game loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, narrowing their series lead to 2-1. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky had a solid 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.44 GAA and .905 SV% in 54 games (33-19-2). He will return to the crease for Game 4 on Monday. Florida enters the contest as -142 home favorites against Tampa Bay.
Mackie Samoskevich will be a healthy scratch for Game 4 on Monday, allowing Greer to enter Florida's lineup for his first career playoff game. The 28-year-old Greer recorded 17 points (6G / 11A), 130 penalty minutes, and 222 hits in 81 games this season.
A.J. Greer will draw into Florida's lineup for Game 4 on Monday, sending Samoskevich to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. Samoskevich was excellent towards the enter of the season for Florida, scoring 15 points (8G / 7A) in his final 25 games. He has one point (0G / 1A) in three playoff games this postseason.
Ekblad was suspended for 20 games in early March for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. He will make his return to the lineup on Saturday in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 29-year-old Ekblad had 33 points (3G / 30A) in 56 games this season.
Barkov exited Thursday's game in the third period after receiving an unsuspecting hit from Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel. Hagel was issued a five-minute major penalty for interference and is scheduled to have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. The 29-year-old Barkov has three points (0G / 3A) through two playoff games and his status for Game 3 is uncertain.
The Panthers commandingly took Game 1 from the Tampa Bay Lightning, defeating them 6-2, aided by a 20-save performance from Bobrovsky (.909 SV%). The 36-year-old Bobrovsky improves to 46-43 in his playoff career, posting a 2.84 GAA and .905 SV%. Still, the Panthers enter Game 2 as slightly +106 road underdogs against a Lightning team desperately trying to tie the series.
