The Panthers do not play until Thursday, March 21st, so Bobrovsky's absence from practice due to illness could be a moot point by then. The veteran netminder has been terrific this season but has struggled lately, allowing three or more goals in three straight (1-2-0), including allowing four goals on 15 shots (.733 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in his last outing.
The Panthers are riding a two-game winning streak and will return to Bobrovsky between the pipes on Thursday night. Bobrovsky has limited the opposition to three or fewer goals in 13 straight games (11-2-0), boasting a sensational .942 SV%. The Panthers enter action as +109 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes club that defeated them 1-0 less than a month ago.
Colin White will draw into the lineup for the Canadiens on Thursday in favour of Pezzetta, who will be a healthy scratch. Pezzetta played the last two games, averaging under seven minutes per night while recording one shot and 11 hits.
Stecher will fill in on the Oilers' blue-line for Mattias Ekholm, who is out with an undisclosed injury. Stecher has one goal and four assists in 47 games this season.
Joshua hurt his hand in a fight on February 13th against Chicago and has not played since. The 27-year-old had been enjoying a breakout season in his fourth year in the NHL, with 13 goals, 26 points, 69 SOG, 46 PIMs and +16 plus/minus in 53 games before his injury.
Bobrovsky will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday after his three-game win streak was snapped in a 2-1 loss to Philly his last time out. The 35-year-old should be in Vezina consideration at season-end as he's third in the NHL in Wins (31), second in GAA (2.29), and fifth in SV% (.918). He heads to Dallas Tuesday to take on the Stars, who are looking to extend a five-game win streak and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.62).
Knies exited Thursday's 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins in the first period after playing only 3:18 time-on-ice. The first-year forward has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 61 games this season and isn't expected to miss any time due to his injury.
Bobrovsky will be back between the pipes for the Panthers on Thursday after Anthony Stolarz got the nod in Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Devils. Bobrovsky picked up a third straight victory his last time out, allowing just two goals on 28 shots in Monday's 4-2 victory over the Rangers. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner owns a 31-11-2record on the year and a .918 SV%. He draws another strong matchup on Thursday with the Panthers being -260 favourites over the Flyers.
McCabe missed Toronto's game Wednesday vs. Buffalo due to illness but is expected to return for the second half of their back-to-back on Thursday in Boston. The 30-year-old defenseman has already tied his career high in points (22) and surpassed his previous highs in goals (6) through only 55 games played this season.
Carolina was unable to sign their 2019 fourth-round pick (99th overall) Cade Webber and traded his rights to Toronto for a 2026 6th-round pick on Thursday. The 23-year-old towering stay-at-home defenseman has scored only one goal and 16 points in 115 games played across four NCAA seasons with Boston University.
Duhaime will add a rugged edge to Colorado's bottom-six forward group as they shape their roster heading into the playoffs. In 62 games with Minnesota this season, Duhaime had eight points (4G / 4A), 66 penalty minutes, and 153 hits.
