Florida Panthers get big boost at key area as schedule resumes. More could be on the way

The Florida Panthers are getting each of their high goaltenders again as they get prepared for a dash of a 30-game schedule to shut the common season and push for a playoff spot.

Sergei Bobrovsky will return to web Monday for the Panthers for the first time in practically three weeks after they host the Tampa Bay Lightning at FLA Live Arena to renew their schedule following the All-Star Break. Spencer Knight, who hasn’t performed for Florida in practically a month, will again up.

Bobrovsky hasn’t performed since leaving about two minutes into the Panthers’ 6-2 win towards the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 19 after he jammed his left leg into the goalpost attempting to make a play on the puck. He had began six of seven video games earlier than the harm, logging a .909 save proportion (180 saves on 198 pictures and main Florida to a 4-1-1 file in these video games.

Knight, in the meantime, final performed for the Panthers on Jan. 8, lacking time with an upper-body harm. After taking part in back-to-back video games on Jan. 21 and 22 for the Charlotte Checkers, Florida’s American Hockey League affiliate, Knight returned to the energetic roster on Jan. 23 with the anticipation of taking part in towards the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 24. Knight, nonetheless, had a setback and has but to be again in web in a recreation.

With Bobrovsky and Knight sidelined, the group turned to Alex Lyon for six consecutive video games to shut out their schedule earlier than the All-Star Break. Florida went 3-2-1 with Lyon in web, highlighted by a 4-3, come-from-behind time beyond regulation victory towards the Boston Bruins on Jan. 28 by which Lyon stopped 38 of 41 pictures he confronted towards the high group in the league.

Anthony Duclair getting near return

Panthers winger Anthony Duclair nonetheless has some hurdles to clear as he recovers from Achilles surgical procedure throughout the summer time.

But the speedy ahead, who scored a career-high 31 objectives final season, is nearing the subsequent big step to creating his return to Florida’s roster.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice on Sunday stated he’s “hopeful” Duclair will shed the yellow non-contact follow jersey at some level this week.

After that, the Panthers might want to consider how he feels going by means of each section of follow earlier than doubtless sending him to Charlotte for a conditioning stint to get him as much as recreation pace forward of his season debut.

“I don’t suppose cautious is the proper phrase,” Maurice stated. “We attempt to be as sensible as we probably can with such a harmful harm. When he says he’s prepared to enter a full-contact jersey, then mentally he’s prepared. Physically, we really feel he’s fairly shut.”

Barkov, Tkachuk represented Panthers nicely at All-Star Game

While the Panthers return to house ice as a group Monday, two of their high gamers acquired a head begin this weekend.

Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov represented the hometown Panthers in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game and each have been integral in the Atlantic Division’s victory on Saturday. Tkachuk received MVP honors after logging seven factors (4 objectives, three assists) over two video games, whereas Barkov had 4 assists.

“It was as good as it could have been,” Maurice stated. “The sold-out constructing, plenty of hockey followers and plenty of Panthers followers, and the two recognizable faces of our franchise put on an amazing present and received and had enjoyable doing it. And they have been publicly obtainable. They put themselves on the market. They did loads of occasions and also you respect that. It’s their All-Star Break, too, however they felt a way of duty to this market they usually did a fabulous job of it.”

As a part of the successful group, Tkachuk and Barkov cut up a $1 million prize with the remainder of the 11-player Atlantic group.

“Hopefully the subsequent group dinner is on them,” middle Sam Bennett stated. “That was good for them.”