Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled the past few weeks, resulting in a slight uptick in playing time for Tarasov, who will return to the crease on Thursday. The 26-year-old Tarasov has a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has points in six of their last seven games (5-1-1).
Sergei Bobrovsky has struggled the past few weeks, resulting in a slight uptick in playing time for Tarasov, who will likely return to the crease on Thursday. The 26-year-old Tarasov has a 2.64 GAA and .908 SV% in his last five games (3-1-1). The Panthers enter Thursday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Winnipeg Jets team that has points in six of their last seven games (5-1-1).
Mikkola was limited to only 12:36 time-on-ice on Florida's most recent game, exiting with an undisclosed injury, and was absent from practice on Wednesday. That said, he is expected to return to the lineup on Friday. The 29-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 48 games this season
Mikkola was limited to only 12:36 time-on-ice on Florida's most recent game, exiting with an undisclosed injury, and was absent from practice on Wednesday. The 29-year-old defenseman is averaging 20:08 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 48 games this season.
The Panthers hope the season debut of their leader, Matthew Tkachuk, can help them string together some consistent play, starting with their netminder, Sergei Bobrovsky. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has allowed three or more goals in seven of his last eight games (3-5-0), which was highlighted by one of the worst performances of his career, allowing nine goals on 35 shots (.743 SV%) in Friday's 9-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Panthers enter Monday's action as -176 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks team that has lost two of its last three games (1-2-0).
With Matthew Tkachuk returning from an injury and making his long-awaited season debut, Gregor will be the odd-man out of the lineup and be loaned to the Charlotte Checkers (AHL). The 27-year-old Gregor averaged 8:05 time-on-ice and scored three points (1G / 2A) in 24 games with Florida this season.
Tkachuk has been participating in contact drills for almost two weeks, and will make his season debut on Monday against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Tkachuk recorded 57 points (22G / 35A), 84 hits, and 156 shots last season in 52 games, missing 30 contests due to a lower-body injury. He should provide a big boost for a Panthers team that has been chasing a playoff spot for most of the season.
Schwindt has not played in two months because of a broken arm, but he will make his return on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Before his injury, the 24-year-old forward was averaging 8:38 time-on-ice and had two points (2G / 0A) in 10 games.
Bobrovsky has a serviceable 5-4-0 record in his last nine games, which has not come easily, as he has a concerning sub- .900 SV% in each of those games. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has battled adversity all season, settling into a less-than-stellar 2.90 GAA and .881 SV% through 32 games (19-12-1). The Panthers enter Friday's contest as +146 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team that they defeated 5-2 less than a month ago.
Balinskis was in and out of the lineup to start the season, but injuries on Florida's blueline have awarded him with a larger role, earning himself a two-year contract extension. The 29-year-old Latvian defenseman has eight pints (1G / 7A) in 36 games this season.
Hinostroza has been a regular in the Wild lineup for the past several weeks, but he will head to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Thursday. The 31-year-old forward has seven points (2G / 5A) in 34 games this season.
Mikkola is not expected to miss much time, if any, but he his status for Friday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes is uncertain. The 29-year-old Mikkola is averaging 20:19 time-on-ice and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 45 games this season.
Marchand has not played since January 6th and has yet to resume contact drills at practice. The 37-year-old Marchand was having a resurgent season with the Panthers, scoring 46 points (23G / 23A) in 41 games. He has not finished a season above a point-per-game pace in half a decade.
Bobrovsky was serviceable in his most recent game, saving 17 of 19 shots (.895 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, ending a streak where he had allowed three or more goals in five consecutive games (1-4-0). The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.90 GAA and .881 SV% in 31 games this season (18-12-1). The Panthers enter the action on Monday as +103 road underdogs against one of the NHL's hottest teams, the Buffalo Sabres, who are 13-1-0 in their last 14 games.
Marchand was on the ice for the Panthers' morning skate but will sit out for a second straight game on Saturday. Noah Gregor replaced him in the lineup on Thursday, but Sandis Vilmanis will fill that spot tonight.
With Jones out week-to-week, moving him to IR was a formality to create a roster spot for Sandis Vilmanis to be recalled from the AHL.
