Panthers’ Okposo to play first playoff game since 2016 with Lomberg out
The Florida Panthers will be without forward Ryan Lomberg for the second straight game on Thursday in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Lomberg has been fighting an illness that kept him out of Game 2 on Tuesday, an overtime win for Florida as they take a 2-0 series lead into Tampa Bay. Lomberg played 6:32 in the Game 1 win.
The 29-year-old did travel to Tampa, but needs more time before he can be around the team and play.
Per Paul Maurice, Ryan Lomberg (illness) made the trip to Tampa but won’t play tonight.
They need another day of him feeling good before he’s allowed around the team.
Kyle Okposo will draw into his first playoff game since 2016.
With Lomberg’s absence, Florida turns to veteran Kyle Okposo, who will play his first Stanley Cup Playoff game since May 8, 2016 with the New York Islanders. That was eight years ago. The opponent that night… also the Tampa Bay Lightning, who defeated the Islanders 4-0 to win the second-round series in five games. New York also got past Florida in the first round that same year.
Okposo was traded to the Panthers from the Buffalo Sabres at the trade deadline in exchange for defenseman Calle Sjalin and a conditional pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The former Buffalo captain was brought to Sunrise to provide veteran leadership and playoff experience.
“We are bringing in more leadership,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said after the trade. “There is guidance and support and understanding of the other leaders. He may have ideas on how to help them, and that is invaluable.”
The 36-year-old winger has 614 points (242 goals, 372 assists) in 1,051 career games. In the playoffs, he has 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 24 games, all between 2012 and 2016 with the Islanders.
Okposo spent the past eight seasons with the Sabres, who failed to make the postseason during his tenure. He had no points through six games with the Panthers in the regular season.